A female runner stands on the track. A track and field meet was held on April 25 and 26, prior to the commencement of the 31st Southeast Asian Games. It offered the organizing committee a chance to test the system for hosting the sport at the coming Games. SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring communities from May 12 to 23, 2022. It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and expects to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial sporting event was initially slated for late 2021 but was delayed due to the pandemic. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Staff at the track start a test run of the system. For this year’s SEA Games, new tracking devices were imported from Europe. Athletic events at SEA Games 31 are set to take place at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi. With a total investment capital of nearly 53 million USD, My Dinh National Stadium covers a total area of 17.5 hectares, with a football pitch spanning 24,732 sq.m; the running track and the surrounding roads 15,100 sq.m. All of the facilities meet international standards. The running track consists of eight lanes for 400m track and 10 straight lanes of 110m; two semi-circular runways for high jump; and two facilities each for shot put, javelin throw, discus throw and hammer throw; pole vault; and long jump. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A panoramic view of the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, which will be the venue for the opening ceremony, men’s football and athletics of the 31st Southeast Asian Games. Athletics is among the most important sports of SEA Games 31, therefore, the host Vietnam has exerted effort to prepare optimal infrastructure for the Olympic sport. Athletics is scheduled to take place from May 14 to 19, 2022. The running track and the surrounding roads are 15,100 square metres, meeting international standards. The sport has been contested at every Summer Olympics since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A referee sets up the tracking devices used at the running footpath. As it was the first time that the referees operated many devices at the same time, they could not help but make mistakes during the process of completing set up for the 31st Southeast Asian Games. SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring communities from May 12 to 23, 2022. It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and expects to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial sporting event was initially slated for late 2021 but had to be delayed due to the pandemic. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A device is placed on the running track. The tracks are brand new and ready for the large number of upcoming events. The pilot athletics event on the road to the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) began at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on April 25, seeing the participation of over 100 athletes. The two-day event is an opportunity for the Vietnam Athletics Federation and relevant agencies to evaluate the organisation and administration for, and the operation of equipment serving SEA Games 31. They will also evaluate the implementation of training plans of national sports training centres and relevant units across the country. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Starting blocks meet international standards to set off the race competitions. According to the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31)’s Organising Committee, more than 150 athletics referees will serve at the regional sports event, including over 120 domestic refs. The athletics event at SEA Games 31 will be managed by 28 experts from the Asian Athletics Association. Vietnamese athletes have set a goal of winning 16-18 gold medals to defend the country's top spot in the track and field team event. Vietnam will send a powerful team of 25 experts, coaches and 80 athletes to compete in the tournament's event. SEA Games 31 will take place in Hanoi and 11 adjacent provinces from May 12 to 23, 2022.(Photo: VietnamPlus)

Staff set up the gear at the My Dinh National Stadium. Thanks to the new equipment, modern technology will help referees make accurate calls and allow athletes to display their full talents. The track and field competition at the upcoming SEA Games 31 is set to take place at the Hanoi-based My Dinh National Stadium between May 14 and 19 with 47 sets of medals up for grabs. Vietnam dominated the athletics competition in the Philippines two years ago, collecting 16 gold medals, which was four ahead of powerhouse Thailand. The total surpassed their SEA Games target by five gold medals. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Sporting equipment is installed at My Dinh National Stadium. Many imported tracking devices arrived only recently at the stadium. As a result, referees and technical experts had to speed up their work so as to ensure smooth operation of the new system. The pilot athletics event prior to SEA Games 31 is an opportunity for the Vietnam Athletics Federation and relevant agencies to evaluate the organisation and administration for the event. They will also evaluate the operation of equipment serving the largest regional sporting event slated for May 12-23 in Hanoi capital city and adjacent communities. Further evaluations take place on the implementation of training plans of national sports training centres and relevant units across the country. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Referees check the equipment serving a sub-category in track and field at SEA Games 31. According to the SEA Games 31’s Organising Committee, more than 150 athletics referees will serve at the regional sports event, including over 120 domestic refs. The athletics event at SEA Games 31 will be managed by 28 experts from the Asian Athletics Association, the committee said. For this year’s SEA Games, new tracking devices were imported from Europe. The running track at My Dinh Stadium consists of eight lanes for 400m track and 10 straight lanes of 110m; two semi-circular runways for high jump; and two facilities each for shot put, javelin throw, discus throw and hammer throw; pole vault; and long jump. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Preparations are being made for the competitions at My Dinh National Stadium. The computer system helps referees track movements of athletes as well as their time. At SEA Games 29 held in Malaysia in 2017, Vietnam obtained 17 gold medals for the first time in the regional sporting event’s history. This almost doubled Thailand’s result, though the initial target was set at about 10 - 12 gold. Two years later, track and field athletes of Vietnam won 16 gold, 13 silver, and nine bronze, sustaining their top place on the medal table at SEA Games 30 hosted by the Philippines. Vietnam eyes 15 - 17 gold among the 47 sets of athletic medals at SEA Games 31. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Various LED screens will be set up to display parameters of track and field athletes competing at the upcoming SEA Games 31. Many imported tracking devices only arrived some days ago. As a result, referees and technical experts had to speed up their work so as to ensure smooth operation of the new system. Athletics is among the most important events of SEA Games 31, therefore, the host Vietnam has exerted effort to prepare optimal infrastructure for the Olympic sport. The event is scheduled to take place from May 14 to 19, 2022. More than 150 athletics referees are expected to serve at the regional sports event, including over 120 domestic refs (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Two female runners are in action at the test event. In addition to checking performance of athletes and quality of devices, the pre-SEA Games 31 athletics event helps athletes to understand regulations of the Games and get accustomed to the venue. Vietnam eyes 15 - 17 gold among the 47 sets of athletic medals at SEA Games 31, which experts described as not easy but achievable. Vietnam will send a powerful team of 25 experts, coaches and 80 athletes to compete in the tournament's event. SEA Games 31 will take place in Hanoi and 11 adjacent cities and provinces from May 12 to 23, 2022. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Track and field is projected to be among ‘gold mines’ of the host Vietnam at the biennial sporting event. At SEA Games 29 held in Malaysia in 2017, Vietnam won 17 gold medals for the first time in the regional sporting event’s history, almost doubling Thailand’s result, though the initial target was set at about 10 - 12 gold. Two years later, track and field athletes of Vietnam won 16 gold, 13 silver, and nine bronze, taking top spot on the medal table at SEA Games 30 in the Philippines. Athletics competitions at the upcoming SEA Games 31 are set to take place at the Hanoi-based My Dinh National Stadium until May 19. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Athletes participate in the event at My Dinh National Stadium. Vietnam will send a powerful team of 25 experts, coaches and 80 athletes to compete in the tournament's event. Vietnam eyes 15 - 17 gold among the 47 sets of athletic medals at SEA Games 31, which experts described as not easy but achievable. SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, will be held in the capital city of Hanoi and 11 neighbouring cities and provinces from May 12 to 23. Featuring 40 sports with 526 events, it is expected to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: VietnamPlus)