On the evening of September 10th, Hangzhou, the host city of the 19th Asian 
Games, will hold a one-year countdown event highlighting various expectations. 
The torch design and official sports uniform design of Hangzhou Asian Games 
will officially released during the event, sending an invitation to the world.

Six years ago, Hangzhou became the third city in China to host the Asian Games 
after Beijing and Guangzhou. As an Asia-wide sports gala, the Asian Games is 
not only a sports event, but also a concentrated display of a city's 
civilization concept, public participation, high-tech achievements and 
international image.

With the overall positioning of "New Era, Great Asian Games" and the concept of 
hosting a green, smart, economical and ethical event, the Hangzhou Asian Games 
has overcome the impact of COVID-19 and made solid progress in all areas of 
preparation.

This year is decisive for the preparations for Hangzhou Asian Games. The Games 
has 55 competition venues, 5 Asian Games villages and athletes sub-villages in 
Hangzhou and 5 co-host cities in the province.

At present, 42 competition venues have been completed, and the competition 
functionality acceptance is underway. It is expected that all venues will be 
delivered and enter the trial operation before the end of 2021. As early as 
March this year, the first phase of sport entry has been completed. On the 
basis of 45 participating countries (regions) in previous years, it included 
Oceania countries (regions) for the first time, covering all 61 disciplines of 
the Asian Games.

"Preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games have made remarkable progress with 
many highlights," Prince Ahmed, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, spoke 
highly of the preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games at the 39th General 
Assembly of the OCA on December 16, 2020.

Another remarkable result of this conference is the announcement that esports 
and breaking are officially included in the competitions of Hangzhou Asian 
Games. So far, the Games will see 40 sports and 61 disciplines. The official 
entry of esports into the Games has also become a major feature and highlight 
of the innovation and inclusiveness of Hangzhou Asian Games.

"Intelligence" was frequently mentioned during the preparations for the 
Hangzhou Asian Games. Creating a "smart" Asian Games has become the focus for 
all walks of life at home and abroad. Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee 
takes digitalization reform as the engine and relies on the advantages of 
digital economy in Zhejiang and Hangzhou to promote the development of "Smart 
Asian Games". The deep integration of the latest technology with the Asian 
Games scenarios are applied in the organizing, participating and watching of 
the Games. Asian athletes and guests can feel the intelligence of smart cities 
and the charm of future cities.

For example, in the field of intelligent venues, "Big Lotus", Hangzhou Olympic 
Sports Centre Stadium, won many awards in China. The "Little Lotus", the Tennis 
Centre, can rotate and close according to weather conditions thanks to its 
world-leading technology, according to Chen Weiqiang, deputy secretary-general 
of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Organising Committee and vice mayor of 
Hangzhou. 

"To ensure the success of the Games and the improvement of the city, our 
stadium construction has always combined the operation during the Games and the 
use after the Games. It is not only to meet the needs of the Games, but more 
importantly to leave a legacy of the Games for the city and the people," Chen 
said. Hangzhou will increase the use of venues after the Games, promote sports 
for all, mark the Asian Games into a city brand, let more people come to 
Hangzhou, know Zhejiang, and let the world feel the cultural heritage and 
innovation vitality of Hangzhou, according to him.

The preparations for the Asian Games will continue to make joint efforts in 
sports service, smart city development and branding. Efforts will also be made 
to create a superb sports and cultural event with Chinese style, Zhejiang 
glamour and Hangzhou flavour, so that the Hangzhou Asian Games will impress the 
world in 2022.

Source: The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Organising Committee

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=400274

   Caption: Venue for the opening and closing ceremonies and athletics 
competitions of Hangzhou 2022 -- Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium (Big 
Lotus)

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=400283

   Caption: Hangzhou receives the flag at the closing ceremony of the Asian 
Games in Jakarta, the Asian Games officially entering the "Hangzhou time".