VietNamNet Bridge – The sport circle has been shaken today when the information about a sexual harassment scandal involving runner Truong Thanh Hang, who is called “Queen of Athletics” and coach Nguyen Tuan Anh was revealed.

Runner Truong Thanh Hang.

In preparation for the 27th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Myanmar later this year, Thanh Hang is attempting on training to regain her performance after the leg-breaking accident in late 2012 at the National Sport Training Center in Da Nang. This is a familiar place of training of the national average distance running team.

The sexual harassment scandal was revealed to the local media this morning, June 21. Previously, Thanh Hang sent a petition to officials of the Da Nang National Sport Training Center to accuse track-and-field coach - Nguyen Tuan Anh – of repeatedly making approaches to her, touching her and asking to “share a bad” with her.

According to Thanh Hang, about two weeks ago, Tuan Anh, who was in charge of long distance running and marathon coaching of the national athletics team, suddenly knocked on her door at dawn and tried to touch Hang’s body. Hang ran into the bathroom, locked the door and called other teammates for help. Hang said this was not the first time the coach did such acts.

In a meeting later, held by the Da Nang National Sport Training Center, coach Tuan Anh firstly denied his behavior but finally he had to admit his act and offered an apology to Thanh Hang.

This morning, Thanh Hang was again summoned by officials of the Da Nang National Sport Training Center to report about the incident in detail.

In a phone call with VietNamNet, Thanh Hang said she could not say anything more at this time. Initially, Hang wanted the intervention of the Da Nang National Sport Training Center and will then report the case to the Sports and Physical Training Administration.

In the latest news, the Sports and Physical Training Administration has just decided to reject coach Tuan Anh from the national track-and-field team after being reported of the incident.

The agency’s chief – Mr. Vuong Bich Thang - said: "This is a very serious case. After receiving the report, we have decided to dismiss coach Nguyen Tuan Anh from the national team. We also instructed the Da Nang National Sport Training Center to set up a council to review the case and decide the form of punishment on the coach."

Truong Thanh Hang is the queen of athletics in Southeast Asia. She has dominated the women’s 800m and 1,500m race tracks for many years.

On the morning of August 31, while running with her teammate on Nguyen Tat Thanh Road, in Da Nang, the Vietnamese athletics queen was hit by a motorcycle coming from behind. Her right leg was broken and she got other injuries all over her body.

Bang Lang