ASIAN GAMES VILLAGE. Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2023 shows a view of the Hangzhou Asian Games Village in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. The Hangzhou Asian Games Village was opened to the athletes on Saturday. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
HANGZHOU – With just one week remaining before the 19th Asian Games kicks off in Hangzhou, excitement is building across the continent for this premier sporting event.
According to the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC), all 45 Olympic committees from Asian countries and regions have registered to participate in the Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 Games. Many are set to send their most substantial delegations in history.
China's sports delegation was the first to check in at Hangzhou's Asian Games Village when it officially opened on Saturday. Several Chinese athletes have voiced their aspirations of performing exceptionally on home ground.
"We will fight to be the champion, and hopefully we can win in all rowing events," Cui Xiaotong, a Chinese rowing athlete, shared.
Olympic badminton champion and Hangzhou native, Chen Yufei, aims to make her local supporters proud.
"Challenges loom ahead, but, of course, I will go all out," said Chen. "Hopefully I can leave here without any regret,” Chen said.
Vinod Kumar Tiwari, acting director general of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), lauded the Village as "beautiful and outstanding" during its opening ceremony.
"Now, just one week before the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games on Sept. 23, I can see all your dreams have become reality -- and we are standing here together in a truly magnificent Asian Games Village," he said.
He further emphasized that the Asian Games Village, accommodating athletes, officials, technical officials, and media, epitomizes the solidarity and unity of the Olympic movement in Asia.
"We believe the quality of life in the Asian Games Village can lay the foundations for a smooth and successful Hangzhou Asian Games," Tiwari said.
Meanwhile, international athletes are intensifying their final preparations for the Games.
"Even though we know very well that our mission of medaling in China will not be easy, we are really chasing the honor," Gaza-based beach volleyball athlete Abdullah Al-Arqan told Xinhua.
Fatimatuz Zehra, a Pakistani taekwondo player, is also keen to shine. "The Asian Games is a very big event. It's a big opportunity for every athlete to participate there and get a medal."
Raja Sapta Oktohari, chairman of Indonesia's Olympic Committee, views the Hangzhou Asian Games as an invaluable learning experience in sports infrastructure planning and construction.
"We want to show more to the Indonesians the proper way of building infrastructure for sports, and I believe China has a very good example for all of that," said Oktohari. "So hopefully, after back from the Asian Games in Hangzhou, we can have more proper infrastructure for sports. We are looking forward to a great Games that will be hosted by Hangzhou."
Preparations perfectly done
An official of the expressed confidence in Hangzhou hosting a successful Asian Games.
Zhou Jian, the director of the Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) Media and Broadcast Department, expressed confidence in Hangzhou hosting a successful Asian Games.
"The preparation works have been done perfectly and the organizer put in huge amount of effort. We can see it on the competition schedule arrangement, the preparation of venues, as well as the set up and adjustment of all the hardware and software facilities," Zhou told Xinhua.
Zhou is optimistic about the readiness of the Hangzhou Asian Games, believing it could commence at any moment. Interestingly, despite having access, he chose not to view the opening ceremony rehearsal a few days earlier.
"I prefer to save my emotions for the opening day. But the ceremony must be wonderful because many of my colleagues told me they were shocked, even with tears down," he explained.
He also expressed his anticipation for the unique elements Hangzhou will bring to this edition of the Asian Games.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how the Hangzhou Games will implement its ethos about Green, Smart, Economical and Ethical," the Asian Olympic governing body's Media and Broadcast chief said.
Zhou has been particularly impressed by the 'Smart' concept, highlighting the Asian Games' official cellphone App, Go Hangzhou.
"Just like the Asian Games' official cellphone App Go Hangzhou, it's quite useful and has a lot of functions inside. You can even use it as a Visa to enter China. It's welcomed by a lot of stakeholders," he said, showcasing the app on his cellphone.
"That means you can save time, but still catch enough, or even more information," he added.
He appreciates the Hangzhou Asian Games' slogan, emphasizing its modern and tech-savvy approach.
"The Olympic Council of Asia appreciates and supports the high-tech element in the slogan of the Hangzhou Asian Games."
The Hangzhou Asian Games will introduce several new disciplines, including Esports, and will witness a record participation of 12,527 athletes. Zhou Jian highlighted the Olympic Council of Asia's open-mindedness towards emerging sports trends, aiming to foster balance and growth in Asian sports.
"We are willing to promote new sport. I'm not only saying the Esports, but also you can see other new disciplines such as skateboarding," he pointed out and adding that skateboarding was included in the Jakarta 2019 Asian Games even before its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020.
Zhou also emphasized the inclusivity of the Asian Games, offering opportunities to athletes who might not make it to the Olympic stage.
"Just take swimmers, for example. There are too many swimmers in the world, but only a few people can enter the Olympics. It's especially hard for the athletes who come from the countries or regions with relatively low economic and sports development."
"But the Asian Games can give them opportunities," said the Olympic Council of Asia official. (Xinhua)
