It was a different experience being in a foreign country for the Olympics.  Back at home in either Australia or New Zealand, it would have been all you would watch on TV and talk about at work and social occasions.  Here in Vietnam it was completely different.

The only time I heard someone mention the Olympics was when Hoang Xuan Vinh won gold and then silver in shooting.  These were the only medals Vietnam won at The Rio Games and the first gold medal ever.

Hoang Xuan Vinh

I watched the Olympics via live streaming and I had 11 channels.  I love the atmosphere and the chance to watch sports you would not normally have the opportunity to do: synchronized swimming, judo, fencing, badminton, wrestling and diving.  It amazes me how skilled and determined they are.

Good old New Zealand, for a country of just over 4 million, they do very well on the sporting stage.

However, the question I ask is what does this mean, how does it help the country?  Here in Vietnam people seem to be happy with what they have and they don’t play or watch a lot of sport.  I look at the way the professional sportsmen in AFL, rugby union and rugby league behave and are treated by the community and it doesn’t set a good example for people.  I think we place too much importance on sport in our lives.  Remember, it is for participation (health, fun) and for entertaining the spectators.  That is all.