Hem Kiry

Hem Kiry (born April 11, 1980) is a Cambodian former swimmer, who specialized in sprint freestyle events.[1] He is a two-time Olympian (2000 and 2004), and served twice as Cambodia's flag bearer in the opening ceremony.[2][3] He also held a Cambodian record of 26.48 in the 50 m freestyle from the Southeast Asian Games.[4] Hem is currently working as a swimming coach for the Cambodia national team.

In this Cambodian name, the surname is Hem. In accordance with Cambodian custom, this person should be referred to by the given name.
Hem Kiry
Personal information
Full nameHem Kiry
National team Cambodia
Born (1980-04-11) 11 April 1980
Phnom Penh, PR Kampuchea
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight80 kg (176 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle

Hem made his official debut at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where he competed in the men's 50 m freestyle. Swimming in heat two, he posted a lifetime best of 26.41 to earn a fifth spot and sixty-sixth overall by a 1.08-second margin behind winner Jamie Peterkin of Saint Lucia.[5]

At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Hem swam for the second time in the 50 m freestyle. As part of an Olympic Solidarity program, he received a Universality place from FINA in an entry time of 27.56.[6] He challenged seven other swimmers in heat three, including 16-year-old Chris Hackel of Mauritius. He edged out Libya's Khaled Ghezzawi to take another fifth spot by six hundredths of a second in 27.49. Hem failed to advance into the semifinals, as he placed seventieth overall out of 86 swimmers in the preliminaries.[7][8]

He is a son of Hem Thon (1943–2015), who was also a swimmer.[9] His siblings, sister Hem Raksmey[10] and brother Hem Thon Ponloeu are also swimmers.[11]

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Hem Kiry". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  2. "Sorn Davin named as Cambodian flagbearer for Olympic Games Opening Ceremony". The Phnom Penh Post. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  3. "IOC Latest News: Flag Bearers for the Opening Ceremony". Olympics. 13 August 2004. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  4. "Pool masters look for personal bests". The Phnom Penh Post. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  5. "Sydney 2000: Swimming – Men's 50m Freestyle Heat 2" (PDF). Sydney 2000. LA84 Foundation. p. 103. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  6. "Swimming – Men's 50m Freestyle Startlist (Heat 3)" (PDF). Athens 2004. Omega Timing. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  7. "Men's 50m Freestyle Heat 3". Athens 2004. BBC Sport. 20 August 2004. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  8. Thomas, Stephen (19 August 2004). "Men's 50 Freestyle Prelims Day 6: Hall Splashes a Hot 22.04, Fastest Qualifier; Lezak Makes This One but Popov, Hoogie Bow Out". Swimming World Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  9. Ouch Sony; George Wright (14 January 2015). "1960s Swimming Great Hem Thon Passes Away at Age 71". cambodiadaily.com. The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  10. "Cambodian Olympians: a Third World Tale". utusan.com.my. Utusan. 25 September 2000. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  11. Prak Chan Thul (30 May 2008). "Cambodia's Swimming Family Ready for Beijing". cambodiadaily.com. The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
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