Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 23rd Topic: Sports Competition and Asian Unity
——Asian countries and regions look forward to the Hangzhou Asian Games
Xinhua News Agency reporter
There is still one month before the opening of the Hangzhou Asian Games, and the atmosphere of the Asian Games in various parts of Asia is becoming stronger and stronger. Not only athletes are eager to try and look forward to the trip to Hangzhou, but ordinary people are also full of blessings and expectations for the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Strong atmosphere near the Asian Games
As the host country of the 2026 Asian Games, all walks of life in Japan are very concerned about the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou.
The official website of the Japanese Olympic Committee has opened a special page for the Hangzhou Asian Games, which is divided into five sections: “Hangzhou Asian Games Highlights”, “Special Athletes”, “Star Athletes”, “Atlas” and “Asian Games Information”. It introduces in detail the general situation, origin, mascot of the Asian Games, as well as the unique athletic events and “Most Valuable Athletes” of the Asian Games.
Zhugu Kangbo, deputy secretary-general of the Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee, went to Hangzhou in April this year. He was deeply impressed by the Asian Games Village, competition venues and other facilities. “Every venue is great, and the staff and volunteers are also very active and enthusiastic.” He said that he looks forward to the Hangzhou Asian Games very much, and the Hangzhou Asian Games will definitely be a success.
In South Korea, the media have published a series of reports to warm up the Hangzhou Asian Games. Korean people are also looking forward to the Hangzhou Asian Games. Lee Seung-hye, a citizen of Seoul, South Korea, told Xinhua News Agency that the players should have been gearing up for a long time and getting together at the Hangzhou Asian Games will be a grand celebration for everyone.
On March 29, 2022, the mascot of the Hangzhou Asian Games was photographed in the audience stands of the Tonglu Equestrian Center.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Zongzhi
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency, Charon Wathanasin, vice chairman of the Thai Olympic Committee, said that China has rich experience in hosting large-scale sports events, and he is looking forward to his trip to Hangzhou in a month’s time. “Thai athletes have undergone long-term preparations and will go all out to participate in many competitions to add luster to Asian sports.” He said.
Raja Randhir Singh, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia, said Hangzhou was ready to host the Asian Games last year. “I believe we will see the greatest Asian Games ever,” he said.
Send strong generals to hope for success
Whether it is the number of events or the scale of participation, the Hangzhou Asian Games will create the most in all previous Asian Games. All Asian delegations have sent strong lineups, hoping to create good results and make breakthroughs.
South Korea will send the largest ever Asian Games delegation to participate, with a total of 1,180 people, not only surpassing the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, but also higher than the 2014 Incheon Asian Games where South Korea was the host.
On October 19, 2020, Shen Zhenzhen (right) and Park Tinghuan were in the game.Xinhua News Agency
In addition to competing for gold medals in swimming and archery, the South Korean team will also attack for gold medals in taekwondo, judo, and fencing. In addition, the Go team led by famous South Korean players Shin Jin-joo, Park Ting-hwan and Cui Jing is also determined to win the gold. South Korea is also looking to claim medals in eSports, the first official competition event.
Japan also sent elite soldiers and generals. The well-known swimmer Chi Jiang Rikako, who won six gold medals at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, was once diagnosed with leukemia. Now after treatment and recovery, she will also go to the Hangzhou Asian Games. “I still have the ability to win the gold medal in the 50-meter butterfly in the Asian Games this time, and I will continue to work hard with the goal of the gold medal.” She said that she must show a corresponding performance to tell people who care about her that “Chi Jiang is back.”
On August 22, Wu Qiaochong, a gymnast from Hong Kong, China, was training with rings.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lu Binghui
Hong Kong, China will also send the largest delegation in history. At present, all teams are preparing for the battle and look forward to continuing to make breakthroughs on the basis of the previous session. In the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, the Hong Kong delegation won 8 golds, 18 silvers and 20 bronzes, totaling 46 medals.
Huo Qigang, head of the Hong Kong delegation, said that in recent years, young athletes in Hong Kong have achieved good results in cycling, fencing, gymnastics and other events. They need to accumulate experience, and the Hangzhou Asian Games is an opportunity to show themselves. This time, the Hong Kong, China delegation has a strong lineup, coupled with the home field advantage, it is expected to reach a new high in the number of medals.
Syrian Friendship Promotes Unity
The Asian Games is not only a stage for sports competition, but also an important platform for cross-cultural communication and friendship. Some people in the Asian sports circle believe that the Asian Games has become an important platform for peaceful exchanges in Asia under the background that opportunities for international peaceful exchanges are becoming more and more precious.
On August 4th, Thai students displayed the mascots of the Hangzhou Asian Games after painting.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Teng
The vice-president of the Thai Olympic Committee, Charon Watanasin, who is over eighty years old, has participated in many Asian Games as an athlete and an official. In his view, the Asian Games are a bridge to promote unity and friendship. The Asian Games brought together Asia’s elite athletes, demonstrating Asia’s strong will to achieve unity through the medium of sport.
“The Asian Games has shown us the pure nature of sports, without the interference of other factors, and embodies the power of sports to unite people’s hearts. Over the years, the Asian Games have been concerned and loved by people in Asia and around the world.” He said.
Zhalong likes the slogan of the Hangzhou Asian Games, “Hearts and Hearts, Aiming for the Future”. He believes that this theme is inspiring and conveys the importance of being sincere and understanding each other on the long road ahead.
On August 4, at Hangzhou West Railway Station in Zhejiang Province, the mascot of the Hangzhou Asian Games took a group photo with the Fuxing Asian Games Intelligent EMU train. Published by Xinhua News Agency (photo by Xie Shangguo)
Yusuf, director of the Kuwait Public Sports Authority, expressed the hope that by sending a sports delegation to China to participate in the competition, it will promote mutual visits and deepen mutual understanding. He also looks forward to more sports cooperation with China, especially in multi-purpose sports halls, football fields, etc., because China has rich experience in construction, “China’s infrastructure and China’s speed are famous all over the world.”
Chen Jianhong, the head coach of the Hong Kong Swimming Team, said that the Asian Games is the most important event this year, and he hopes that Hong Kong athletes can take this opportunity to take a walk in Hangzhou and have a look, so as to further experience the changes in the motherland over the years. (Note-taker: Zhang Zewei; Participating reporters: Wei Hua, Wang Yuanyuan, Prince Jiang Lurui, and Sun Yiran)
[error correction]
[Responsible editor: Jiao Peng]
2023-08-23 09:55:03
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