The 19th Asian Games, which were originally slated for 2022 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are now set to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8, 2023. The opening ceremony for the event is expected to run for two hours and will feature a 40-minute parade of athletes representing the 45 National Olympic Committees, followed by formal proceedings and a 45-minute cultural performance. The closing ceremony, scheduled for October 8, will last for 80 minutes and include the handover to Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which will host the 2026 Asian Games.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) recently held a coordination committee meeting in Hangzhou, during which OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam praised the organizers for their resilience in the face of the pandemic. He expressed his deep appreciation for the hard work of the team during the difficult two and a half years of the pandemic. Al-Musallam also noted that the Athletes’ Village in Hangzhou is a unique feature of the Asian Games, as it combines the three sectors of athletes, media, and technical officials. He described this as a positive step for the future and a reflection of the fantastic growth of the Asian Games.
The Torch Relay for the Asian Games 2022 will begin on June 15, 2023, 100 days before the start of the event. The flame will be lit at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The relay will involve 2,022 torchbearers, with the exact route yet to be finalized. The Asian Games are the largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games and are held every four years. The first edition of the Asian Games was held in New Delhi, India, in 1951. Since then, the event has grown in size and scope, featuring a wide range of sports from traditional Asian disciplines like kabaddi and sepaktakraw to more mainstream sports like athletics and swimming.
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More about Asian Games 2022
The Asian Games 2022 will be the third time that China has hosted the event, following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010. Hangzhou is a picturesque city located in eastern China, known for its scenic West Lake and historic temples and pagodas. The city has been preparing for the Asian Games for several years, with significant investments made in infrastructure, transportation, and accommodations.
In addition to the sporting events, the Asian Games also provide an opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding. The cultural performance during the opening ceremony is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage of China and other participating countries. The Athletes’ Village will also host a range of cultural activities and events, allowing athletes to interact and learn from one another.
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for the organizers of the Asian Games, as it has for other sporting events around the world. However, with the easing of restrictions in China and the rollout of vaccines, there is hope that the event can be held safely and successfully. The organizers have put in place a range of measures to ensure the health and safety of all participants, including regular testing, quarantine protocols, and restrictions on fan attendance.
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