Cambodia and China agree to exchange professional athletes for the annual marathon

H.E. Dr. Thong Khon, Senior Minister and President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) announced that Cambodia and China have reached a formal agreement to implement cooperation projects to exchange professional and amateur marathon athletes to participate in annual marathon events such as the Angkor Empire International Marathon in Cambodia and the Yunnan Marathon in China.

This cooperation was carried out on May 17 in Tali City of Yunnan province under the direction of HE Dr. Thong Khon, as approved by the Royal Government of Cambodia. Afterward, H.E. Senior Minister led a delegation of the NOCC to participate in the 2024 Tali Marathon in Yunnan province as part of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation on May 19.

Following the huge race event, the Cambodian delegation met with the Chinese side and agreed on an action plan to implement the collaboration project in the "Twin Cities" between the "Angkor Marathon" and "Mekong Lancang Tali Marathon Cooperation".

H.E. Thong Khon emphasized that following the above-mentioned formal agreement for the first phase, the Chinese side will send approximately 100 delegates, 500 professional athletes, and 500 or more volunteer athletes to participate in the Angkor Empire Marathon (42 km or Angkor Empire Marathon) in Siem Reap on August 4, 2024. Not only that, but the Chinese will assist in the training of Cambodian athletes and sports administrators, as well as be prepared to send coaches to Cambodia if the Cambodian side requests it.

Aside from this, the Chinese side plans to use this marathon event to promote cultural, tourist, and trade cooperation between Cambodia and China, particularly between Tali (Yunnan) and Siem Reap.

Tali is a charming city with a rich cultural and natural past, making it ideal for hosting marathons and other major sporting events. Therefore, preparing this agreement and action plan to connect the Chinese city of Tali with Siem Reap, Cambodia, is highly worthwhile.