Hangzhou, China, September 20, 2023: Stressing advances in digital technology and comprehensive preparations, senior officials of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC) struck a positive tone three days before the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Asian Games, declaring the city ready to host the festivities.
“This is a new starting point in a new era,” said Mr. Chen Weiqiang, Executive Secretary General of HAGOC and Vice Mayor of Hangzhou. “The Smart Asian Games will be high tech, digital, green, low carbon and eco-friendly.”
Mr Chen added: “We have only three days to the official opening and the whole world is focusing on Hangzhou and the Asian Games. We have overcome a lot of challenges along the way.”
With over 12,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 481 events, the 19th Asian Games will be the largest in history. It kicks off on Saturday, September 23 and runs until October 8.
The Hangzhou Asian Games will mark the third time that China has hosted the Asiad, following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010, and it has brought more than 11,000 domestic and foreign media to chronicle the proceedings.
Hangzhou was awarded the 19th Asian Games back in 2015 and the eight years of preparations are coming to fruition with the start of four sports yesterday and two more today.
HAGOC Deputy Secretary General Mao Genhong pointed out that ticket sales for the different events had been brisk, with the ticketing website launched on July 8 having received some 340 million visits in the past 74 days. Ticket prices range from 20 RMB to 1,000 RMB.
The Smart Asian Games website, which will allow viewers to watch many of the sports online, has also seen more than 100 million people register.
Organisers said Hangzhou and the five sub-villages were ready to welcome over 30,000 athletes and team officials, technical officials and media, and that 5,000 “foreign friends” were already in Hangzhou.
The Torch Relay began on September 8 and toured 11 cities in Zhejiang province before ending with the NOC and final athletes’ relay on Wednesday.
The cauldron will be lit at the opening ceremony on Saturday evening and will integrate digital technology with the real flame carried by the final six torchbearers.
