Quach Thi Lan broke into tears upon learning she had unknowingly tested positive for doping, resulting in a nearly two-year suspension from competition. The Muong ethnic runner shed many more tears on her long road back.

Rain, tears, and a triumphant return

May 21, 2024, was a defining day for Quach Thi Lan. Alongside teammates Hoang Thi Minh Hanh, Nguyen Thi Ngoc, and Nguyen Thi Hang, she competed in the women's 4x400m relay final at the 2024 Asian Relay Athletics Championship in Thailand.

Torrential rain made the race even more grueling at Suphachalasai National Stadium, but the Vietnamese women pressed on.

Taking the baton in the second leg, Quach Thi Lan dashed forward with fierce determination, creating a wide lead that gave her teammates a powerful advantage.

With strong tactics, peak performance, and unyielding spirit, the Vietnamese team defeated opponents from India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, finishing first with a time of 3 minutes 30.81 seconds. Not only did they win gold, but they also shattered the national record that had stood for nine years (previously 3:31.64).

For Lan, the Asian gold marked a powerful comeback after her suspension for a doping violation during SEA Games 31, hosted in Vietnam.

Recalling the moment, Lan said she wanted to scream with joy because “I did it.” Her eyes were red with emotion as she celebrated with her team. The rush of emotions, mixed with the cold rain, gave the Asian champion goosebumps.

A low point on the track

After winning gold at the 2022 SEA Games, Lan was devastated by the news: she and several teammates had tested positive for doping. The violation stemmed from a powdered sedative taken unintentionally before competition. As a result, Lan was stripped of her medal and banned from competing.

The athlete from Thanh Hoa fell into despair. She felt defeated. Fortunately, after explaining her case and submitting the supplements she had consumed for analysis, her ban was reduced to 18 months instead of the maximum four years.

“When I first heard I might be banned for four years, I didn’t know if I could ever return. I even thought about retiring. Thanks to the encouragement from my family, coaches, and teammates, I kept training during the suspension,” Lan said.

Though a dark chapter, Lan viewed the ban as a tough but valuable life lesson.

On January 1, 2024, she was officially recalled to the national team. Though still regaining her form, she slowly rebuilt herself and rose to the top of Asian athletics once again, earning admiration from experts and fans alike.

Pride of the Muong community

July 31, 2021, became a historic milestone for Quach Thi Lan’s career. At the Tokyo Olympics, she became the only Asian athlete to reach the women’s 400m hurdles semifinal. She also made history as the first Vietnamese runner to advance to the semifinals in a track event at the Olympic Games.

In addition to this Olympic achievement, Lan holds a long list of accolades: gold at the 2018 Asian Games, silver at the 2014 Asian Games, gold at the Asian Athletics Championships in 2017, 2019, and 2024, and numerous gold medals from the SEA Games, national championships, and the National Sports Games.

These accomplishments were the result of years of dedication shared with her brother, Quach Cong Lich, also a top Vietnamese sprinter. Now 30, Lan has no plans to stop: “As long as I have the strength, I’ll keep competing and contributing.”

“I’ll be competing at the Asian Championships in South Korea this May and the 33rd SEA Games at the end of the year. I may not be as strong as before, but I’m improving steadily,” Lan said.

Lan is a standout among Vietnamese female athletes with her 1.75m height and powerful physique, making her especially suited for hurdles, the 400m, and relay races.

A proud member of the Muong ethnic minority from Ngoc Lac, Thanh Hoa, Lan never forgets her roots. “As a daughter of the Muong people, I’m not the only one striving daily. We all work hard to make our families and communities proud,” she shared.

Beautiful and bold in real life

Outside of training and competition, Quach Thi Lan is embracing her femininity and appearance more than ever. In her free time, she enjoys watching films, reading, and meeting friends on weekends. When time allows, she visits her parents in her hometown.

Dai Nam