Grandmaster Liem invited to bear Olympic torch
Updated : Wed, January 4, 2012,10:56 AM (GMT+0700)
The London Organizing Committee of the 2012 Olympic Games has invited the 21-year-old chess player to run about 300 meters in the 70-day torch procession that will visit more than 1,000 cities and towns in the UK prior to the official opening ceremony on July 27 in London.
Liem, who will join 100 other outstanding individuals in the torch relay, happily told Tuoi Tre that he was extremely proud of the invitation.
The top Vietnamese chess player was the first Vietnamese athlete nominated as a torchbearer for the planet’s biggest sporting event. Together with Liem, Miss Vietnam World, Ngo Phuong Lan, was also invited to join the torch relay.
Liem revealed that he has plans to promote his grade and improve his capability as well in this year.
On January 22, Liem will fly to the UK to compete in the Gibraltar Chess Festival, which takes place from January 23 to February 2.
Following the competition, he will fly to Russia for the Aeroflot Open 2012, from February 6 to 18, the Asian Championships in May, and the world team chess championship in August.
According to the World Chess Federation, Liem, with an Elo rating of 2,714, is ranked 29th in the world, one grade lower than in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Source: http://www.tuoitrenews.vn
What an honor.