Tehran, Iran, May 10, 2023: The countdown clock at the entrance to the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a constant reminder to all those entering the portals of the NOC Headquarters in Tehran.
It stood at 4 months, 12 days, 22 minutes and 30 seconds as a delegation from the Olympic Council of Asia and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) walked in on Wednesday, May 10, on the eve of the Hangzhou Asian Games Fun Run.
“We have full confidence in the Iran NOC and we know it will be a successful Fun Run tomorrow. This is the 18th Fun Run for the Hangzhou Asian Games, and I know it will be a popular event with the public as were the previous ones,” Jeans Zhou Jian, Director of OCA Media and Broadcast Department, told Iranian media at a Press Conference.
“This is my third visit to this beautiful country and both my previous trips were also associated with the Asian Games, the previous two being in 2014 and 2018. I have always been impressed with the support given by the Iran NOC, and it has been no different this time too,” Jeans noted.
The head of the HAGOC delegation Yao Fei, Deputy Director, HAGOC Executive Office, thanked the Iranian NOC for organising the Fun Run on Thursday, May 11, and welcomed Iranian athletes to Hangzhou for the September 23-October 8 Games.
“The Fun Run is not only an Asian Games tradition but a way for international audiences and fans to get involved with the Asian Games. We wish all Iranian athletes who turn up in Hangzhou much success,” Yao said.
The first Asian Games Fun Run series was held for the Doha 2006 showpiece.
Iran NOC Secretary General Dr. Seyed Manaf Hashemi who greeted the visiting delegations, underlined the long-standing good relations between the NOC and both the OCA and HAGOC.
“We believe China and Hangzhou will host a wonderful Asian Games. I have been to Hangzhou recently and from what I have seen, I have no doubt that this will be the best Asian Games in history,” said Manaf Hashemi, who will also be the Chef de Mission of the Iranian contingent in Hangzhou.
According to the Secretary General, Iran is set to field “a strong” contingent of athletes and will participate in 30 or 31 sports. A final decision on the athletes and sports will be taken next week.
The HAGOC delegation told the Iranian media that all preparations were complete for the Asian Games, including 56 competition venues, 31 training venues, and the Athletes Village in Hangzhou plus five sub-villages in the co-host cities.
“We have carried out 50 test events successfully and recently held the Chef de Missions Meeting in Hangzhou, and everything points to a highly successful Games. There are 136 days left before the Asian Games opens,” reminded Yao.
As if anyone needed any reminding – thanks to the countdown clock.
