Hangzhou, China, June 14, 2023: The China State Council Information Office (SCIO) held a press conference on Wednesday, June 14 to introduce preparations for the 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8, 2023.
The China SCIO announced that the lighting ceremony of the flame for the Hangzhou Asian Games would be held at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City in Hangzhou on the morning of June 15. The ruins were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 and are a major tourist attraction in Hangzhou.
The flame-lighting ceremony on Thursday will also be part of the 100-day countdown celebrations, as well as an evening event to exhibit the medals to be presented during the Asian Games.
According to the China SCIO press conference, the Hangzhou Asian Games will have an unprecedented number of participants, including more than 12,000 athletes, 5,000 team officials, 4,700 technical officials and 12,000 media.
However, the final number of athletes will not be known until the third and final phase of the Sport Entry process – Entry by Name – closes on Saturday, July 15.
With the goal of hosting “the most successful Asian Games ever", HAGOC has been fully committed to preparing for the Games efficiently, and to a high standard.
After facing numerous challenges, including the Covid-19 health crisis and the postponement of the 19th Asian Games by one year from September 10-25, 2022 to the new dates in 2023, Hangzhou is endeavouring to ensure that the host city and co-host cities of Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Jinhua will showcase a "Spectacular Asian Games with Chinese Characteristics and Asian Glory".
China SCIO also reported that 50,000 volunteers had been recruited, and that 8 million visits had been recorded to the Asian Games venues since they were opened to the public.
Source: HAGOC