PHNOM PENH: Cambodian rapper VannDa was greeted with a hero’s welcome Wednesday (Aug 14) morning, as he returned home following his groundbreaking performance at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony on Aug 11. The nation’s pride was on full display as former Minister of Tourism Thong Khon, president of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), and NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun welcomed the artist at Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH). "As the host, France has bestowed two great honours upon Cambodia.
Despite our small number of athletes, they provided us with a beautiful boat for the parade, and having Cambodian rapper VannDa perform at the Olympics’ closing ceremony is a tremendous honour for Cambodia, especially as our music industry is still developing," Khon told reporters at the airport. "This reflects the international Olympic policy that encourages and supports developing countries," Khon said. On behalf of the NOCC, he expressed his gratitude to VannDa for bringing tremendous distinction to the country through his participation in various national and international sports events.
"VannDa's presence at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics has drawn significant attention to the global Olympic movement, particularly the Cambodian Olympic movement," Khon stated. "This serves as a major motivator for our youth, especially those passionate about rap music, which is a big interest among today's young generation. "It’s noteworthy that th.