Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

SEA Games 31, themed "For a Stronger Southeast Asia", will be held in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities from May 12 to 23. Featuring 40 sports with 526 events, it is expected to attract around 10,000 ___(1)___. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed ___(2)___ the pandemic's impact.
At the 30th SEA Games in 2019, the Vietnamese sports ___(3)___ finished second in the overall medal tally, with 98 golds, 85 silvers and 105 bronzes, just behind the host Philippines.
The host Vietnam has registered 965 athletes, including 534 males and 431 females, who are set to compete at all 40 sports ___(4)___ the Games, striving to win 140 gold, 77 silver and 71 bronze medals and secure the top place in the tally.
Hanoi and some provinces have basically completed preparations in terms of facilities and decorations, ___(5)___ ready for the important political and sports event.