Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Thai Actor Plans 200-Kilometre Temple Run After Volleyball Triumph
Thailand’s women’s volleyball team finally qualified for the 2028 Olympics.
They did this by beating China in a very close five-set match.
The win was especially meaningful because Thailand had missed Olympic qualification several times before.
In 2016, a problem with the substitution technology hurt the team during an important match.
Thailand also overcame Japan in the semifinals on the way to the title.
Actor and television host Rusameekae Fagerlund had promised to celebrate by running around a famous temple.
He said he would run 100 laps, with each lap being about two kilometres.
That means he plans to run 200 kilometres in total, spread over roughly two months.
The players and staff will also receive financial rewards for their achievement.
Thailand defeated China 3-2 in the AVC Women’s Continental Championship final to qualify for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Actor and TV host Rusameekae “Kae” Fagerlund promised to run 100 laps around Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew.
With each lap estimated at two kilometres, Fagerlund said the run would total 200 kilometres over about two months.
Thailand overcame Japan in the semifinals and China in the final after years of Olympic qualification heartbreaks.
Each of Thailand’s 14 players is set to receive 600,000 baht, with additional rewards proposed for coaches and the sports association.
- Who
- Thailand’s women’s volleyball team, actor and television host Rusameekae “Kae” Fagerlund, and their coaching staff.
- What
- Thailand won the AVC Women’s Continental Championship and secured qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics; Fagerlund promised a 200-kilometre temple run.
- When
- The qualification was secured on Sunday; Fagerlund said his run could take about two months.
- Where
- The final was held in Tianjin, China, while the planned run will take place around Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
- Why
- Thailand’s victory ended a long series of near-misses in Olympic qualification and fulfilled Fagerlund’s public promise.
- Final result
- Thailand defeated China 3-2 in the championship final.
- Olympic qualification
- The victory secured Thailand a place at the LA 2028 Olympics.
- Temple promise
- Rusameekae Fagerlund pledged to complete 100 laps around Wat Phra Kaew.
- Planned distance
- Fagerlund estimated the run at 200 kilometres, based on two kilometres per lap.
- Player reward
- Each of Thailand’s 14 players is set to receive 600,000 baht.
- Total proposed package
- Thai media reported a total proposed reward package of 11.76 million baht.
- Previous qualification heartbreak
- Thailand’s Olympic hopes were previously damaged by a substitution-technology glitch during the 2016 qualification campaign.