Vietnamese volleyball star Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen will not join the team for the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship in Thailand.
The Volleyball Federation of Vietnam (VFV) announced on their website on Tuesday that the Southeast Asian team will not have the services of the star opposite for the Aug 22-Sept 7 championship.
According to VFV, the 25-year-old Bich Tuyen cited personal reasons for not participating in the championship, and the organisation along with the coaching staff respects the athlete's decision.
"In this World Women's Volleyball Championship, the team will not have the services of athlete Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen. For personal reasons, Bich Tuyen has wished not to participate in this competition. The Vietnam Volleyball Federation and the coaching staff respect the athlete's decision. We affirm that Bich Tuyen is always an important member who will always be welcome to contribute to the team in the future when she is ready," the VFV said in a statement on Tuesday.
Bich Tuyen starred in Vietnam's victory over Thailand in the final in the SEA V League in Ninh Binh earlier this month.
Bich Tuyen's surprise withdrawal came amid rumours that the championship organisers are considering raising the gender test issue with the FIVB and requesting a Vietnamese athlete to undergo a test, although the athlete's identity is not revealed.
Gender testing for all female athletes is not mandatory in FIVB, unlike in World Athletics.
Vietnam will make their debut in the world championship this year. They are in Pool G with Poland, Germany and Kenya. The team will travel to Phuket on Wednesday where the pool matches will take place at the Municipal Stadium.
The Volleyball Federation of Vietnam (VFV) announced on their website on Tuesday that the Southeast Asian team will not have the services of the star opposite for the Aug 22-Sept 7 championship.
According to VFV, the 25-year-old Bich Tuyen cited personal reasons for not participating in the championship, and the organisation along with the coaching staff respects the athlete's decision.
"In this World Women's Volleyball Championship, the team will not have the services of athlete Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen. For personal reasons, Bich Tuyen has wished not to participate in this competition. The Vietnam Volleyball Federation and the coaching staff respect the athlete's decision. We affirm that Bich Tuyen is always an important member who will always be welcome to contribute to the team in the future when she is ready," the VFV said in a statement on Tuesday.
Bich Tuyen starred in Vietnam's victory over Thailand in the final in the SEA V League in Ninh Binh earlier this month.
Bich Tuyen's surprise withdrawal came amid rumours that the championship organisers are considering raising the gender test issue with the FIVB and requesting a Vietnamese athlete to undergo a test, although the athlete's identity is not revealed.
Gender testing for all female athletes is not mandatory in FIVB, unlike in World Athletics.
Vietnam will make their debut in the world championship this year. They are in Pool G with Poland, Germany and Kenya. The team will travel to Phuket on Wednesday where the pool matches will take place at the Municipal Stadium.
