The 2009 Southeast Asian Games (Lao: ກີລາພູມິພາກອາຊີຕາເວັນອອກສຽງໃຕ້ 2009)(Hepburn: kila phoumipak asi taven oak siang tai 2009), officially known as the 25th Southeast Asian Games was a Southeast Asian multi-sport event hosted by Vientiane, Laos. This was the first time Laos had held the Southeast Asian Games as Laos had previously declined hosting the 1965 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games citing financial difficulties.

The games commemorated 50 years of SEA Games and was held from 9 to 18 December 2009, although several events had commenced from 2 December 2009. Around 3100 athletes from 11 participating nations competed at the Games, which featured 372 events in 25 sports. Laos is the ninth nation to host the games after Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam. The games was opened and closed by Choummaly Sayasone, the President of Laos.

The final medal tally was led by Indonesia, followed by Thailand and Vietnam with host Laos in seventh place. Several games, Asian and national records were broken during the games. Though there were several controversies, the Games were deemed generally successful with Laos first Southeast Asian Games hosting experience and with the rising standard of competition amongst the Southeast Asian nations.

Vientiane, the capital city of Laos is the host of the 2009 Southeast Asian Games. This decision came during the Southeast Asian Games Federation meeting during the 2003 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

The 25th SEA Games Organising Committee led by president Somsavath Lengsavath was formed to oversee the staging of the games.

The 25th Southeast Asian Games had 27 venues for the games.

...
Wikipedia