Timor Leste runner Felisberto De Deus (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Sport fans across Southeast Asia havebeen impressed with images of two runners of the host Vietnam celebrating victorywith their Timor Leste rival Felisberto De Deus at SEA Games 31.
De Deus bagged two silvers in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000mevents at the ongoing Games.
ASEAN Football page recently published photos of the event, statingthat after the men’s 10,000m competition, he held hands and ran together tocelebrate with two Vietnamese runners Nguyen Van Lai and Le Van Thao, who won thegold and bronze medals, respectively.
In the comment section, Facebook user Gilmaro Sfx wrote: “LoveVietnam! Much love from Timor-Leste.”
Another user said: “He looks very happy. Maybe this will be amemorable memory for him. Congrats.”
For some people, this is the best moment of SEA Games 31 andreflects true sportsmanship.
Many are in awe that during his celebration, the 23-year-oldwaved a small Vietnamese flag while wrapping himself with his homeland’s flag.
De Deus expressed his happiness at the cheers fromVietnamese fans, as well as good wishes from local residents during his stay inVietnam.
He said the cheers and the fair-minded spirit of theVietnamese supporters pushed him in the men’s 10,000 event.
The athlete said he hopes that sport, particularly athletics, willhelp to promote the country and people of Timor Leste.
SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, isbeing held in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities until May 23.
It features 40 sports with 523 events, attracting around10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 butdelayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
