No I am not crazy about this column but I have to keep my word this Olympics – if a nation wins their first gold medal they get a tout, complete with national anthem, flag and victory lap.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam won their first GOLD medal – in the 10 meter air pistol event.

So here it is as promised!

Hoang Xuan Vinh is reported to earn $100,000 for this feat:

Vinh is expected to receive $100,000 from the state on returning to Vietnam, AFP reports, citing the country’s state media.

But I do like this athete’s humility:

“I’m very lucky, it’s the first gold medal in Vietnam’s history, I feel very lucky, thank you everybody,” said Vinh at a press conference, the Vietnamese Thanhnien News reports.

“Making this gold medal is a life memory, I’ll never forget this. Because [it is the] first time making a gold medal for Vietnam.

***

“The Brazilian shooter was very fast and stronger, but I think only ‘try, try, try’. On the last shot I don’t think gold or silver. I think only ‘try’.”

I like the graciousness.  Of course I had to find this news story in a British newspaper.  So congrats to Hoang Xuan Vinh – national hero and to Vietnam on their first gold medal.  Here is the Vietnamese national anthem.  Now where is that flag?  I’ll do the victory lap after midnight maybe 2 am or so…

About Elwood Sanders

Elwood "Sandy" Sanders is a Hanover attorney who is an Appellate Procedure Consultant for Lantagne Legal Printing and has written ten scholarly legal articles. Sandy was also Virginia's first Appellate Defender and also helped bring curling in VA! (None of these titles imply any endorsement of Sanders’ views)

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