Two first prizes at a festival in Phu Yen were canceled because... people were borrowed to compete in a swimming competition.

Speaking with CAND Newspaper reporters on the afternoon of March 17, Mr. Nguyen Le Vi Phuc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Hoa town (Phu Yen) said that he would decide to cancel the results of the two first prizes in swimming awarded to two male and female athletes at the 16th Traditional Festival of Da Nong River in Dong Hoa town in 2025, due to violations of the tournament's regulations.

Báo Công an Nhân dân•17/03/2025

Previously, CAND Newspaper reporters sent to the Chairman of Dong Hoa Town People's Committee information that readers reported signs of cheating in men's and women's swimming at the 16th Traditional Festival of Da Nong Rivers in Dong Hoa Town in 2025. Specifically, in Regulation No. 01/DL-CHTTT issued by the Director of the Center for Culture - Sports and Broadcasting (CSC) on January 6, 2015, all athletes participating in the following sports: men's and women's swimming; men's double basket shaking and men's and women's dragon boat racing must be 18 years of age or older, and have registered permanent residence in Dong Hoa Town.

Two first prizes at a festival in Phu Yen were canceled because people were borrowed to compete in swimming -0 — Swimmers are competing at the 16th Traditional River Festival of Da Nong, Dong Hoa town in 2025. Photo: Dong Hoa town People's Committee

The festival took place in the lower reaches of the Da Nong River, Phu Lac Quarter, Hoa Hiep Nam Ward on February 19. More than 300 athletes from teams in 10 communes and wards in Dong Hoa Town competed in the three sports mentioned above. At the end of the festival, the first prize in men's swimming was awarded to Tran Gia Ph, and the first prize in women's swimming was awarded to Tran Thi Ngoc H. Both athletes were registered from the Hoa Hiep Bac Ward team.

Surprisingly, recently, some people discovered that the two first prize winners mentioned above are not from Dong Hoa town, but are two brothers from Tuy Hoa city, not of the required age. The male athlete is in grade 10, the female athlete is in grade 7 at two high schools and a middle school in Tuy Hoa city (!)

Under the direction of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Hoa town, the Center for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the town coordinated with the People's Committee of Hoa Hiep Bac commune to conduct inspection and verification. The results determined that the people's reflection was correct, the two athletes who won first prize in the male and female swimming events of the 16th Traditional Festival of Da Nong River in Dong Hoa town in 2025 were not residents of Dong Hoa town. The Center for Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Hoa town and the People's Committee of Hoa Hiep Bac commune made a record of the unanimous conclusion to cancel the results and withdraw the first prize awarded, including the flag and prize money.