Two Hundred Rally for Olympic Countdown Relay
- By Rin Ousa
- February 16, 2024 7:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Around 200 participants took part in the third “Relay around the world” event in the National Olympic Stadium on Feb. 16, with only 161 days until to the Olympic Games in Paris.
Being staged across five continents, the relay made its return to Cambodia.
The event, organized by the French Embassy, aims to discover how far the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games can take participants.
French Ambassador Jacques Pellet said he was glad to see people of all ages take part because it promoted equality and inclusion in sports.
“I am delighted to welcome seven Cambodian volunteers chosen for the Paris 2024 Volunteers program, who will soon travel to France to fulfill a civic service mission,” Pellet said.
He also introduced Chhun Bunthorn, the Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in the 800-meter event in 2023, during the relay.
Samedy Sivathana, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports said the relay was an exceptional event because it encouraged every individual to enjoy playing sports.
“Notably, it is a great opportunity to strengthen ties between France and Cambodia. This running relay will also raise youth capacity-building in sport a year after the Southeast Asian Games or SEA Games which Cambodia hosted,” Sivathana said.
The 33rd Olympic Games will run from July 26 to August 11. The 17th Paralympic Games will run from August 28 to September 8, also in Paris.
