The Hangzhou Asian Games is about to kick off: Asia Joins Hands for the Future

The original Hangzhou Asian Games are about to kick off

Rising Tide: Asia Joins Hands for the Future

The mascots of the Hangzhou Asian Games are "Chen Chen", "Cong Cong", and "Lian Lian". picture

On September 22nd, in the group stage of the Asian Games women's football, the Chinese women's football team defeated the Mongolian women's football team 16-0. The picture shows the team members in the game. Photo by our reporter Zhang Wujun

The scenery of welcoming the Asian Games on the streets of Hangzhou. Provided by the Propaganda Department of Yuhang District Committee of Hangzhou City

Volunteers from the Hangzhou Asian Games Main Media Center provide consulting services for journalists. Photo by our reporter Zhang Wujun

Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Sports Complex. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Zongzhi

By the Qiantang River, the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium is like a big lotus flower. On the evening of September 23rd, athletes from 45 Asian sports delegations will gather here to witness the grand opening of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

This is the third time China has taken over the Asian Games relay baton. Listening to the surging river and feeling the pulse of the times, the Hangzhou Asian Games will ignite the flame of sports, symbolizing the unity of Asia, and sing the theme of "Heart to Heart Integration, @ Future".

Three times holding hands in the Asian Games

Write a new chapter

The Asian Games, with a 72 year history, use sports as a bridge to unite and forge ahead. From less than 500 athletes participating in the first Asian Games in 1951, to now over 12000 athletes participating in the Hangzhou Asian Games, the scale and influence of the Asian Games continue to expand.

In 1974, China sent its first delegation to participate in the Asian Games. Since then, Chinese athletes have never been absent from the Asian Games, creating a series of brilliant achievements.

In 1990, the Beijing Asian Games were successfully held, and with the singing of "Asian Heroes", the world saw an increasingly open China; In 2010, the Guangzhou Asian Games were successfully held, and a wave of reform surged in China; In 2023, the Asian Games arrived in Hangzhou, where historical, cultural, and innovative vitality complemented each other on the land of Zhijiang.

The third time China has held hands with the Asian Games, a new chapter has been written. The Chinese sports delegation sent 886 athletes to participate in the Asian Games, of which 630 participated for the first time, accounting for more than 70%. Chinese athletes cherish the stage of the Asian Games immensely. They not only need to work hard and strive for excellence, but also need to showcase the charm of the younger generation.

This time, 36 Olympic champions will compete. Famous athletes such as Gong Lijiao, Ma Long, and Wang Shun will embark on their fourth journey to the Asian Games, and their pursuit of excellence has never stopped. 13-year-old skateboarder Cui Chenxi is the youngest athlete in the Chinese sports delegation, and a large number of post-2000 athletes have stepped onto the stage, showcasing their youthful vitality. When the Asian sports scene enters the "Hangzhou time", Chinese sports look forward to continuing to write new glory.

Benchmarking Olympic standards

Featuring both Asian characteristics

At the call of the Hangzhou Asian Games, all members of 45 countries and regions of the Asian Olympic Council signed up to participate. Athletes from all over Asia are eagerly anticipating this sports feast, reflecting the enduring appeal of the Asian Games.

This year's Asian Games set up 40 major events, 61 sub events, and 481 sub events, with Hangzhou and 5 co hosting cities participating, making it the largest, most diverse, and most widely covered Asian Games in history.

The Hangzhou Asian Games covers almost all Olympic events and sub events, as well as martial arts, dragon boat racing, wicker ball, cricket, Kabardi and other widely held events in Asia, as well as popular events among young people such as breakdancing and esports. It not only benchmarks the Olympic level, but also possesses Asian characteristics, highlighting the diversity and inclusiveness of Asian sports culture. Numerous non Olympic projects have the opportunity to take the stage of the Asian Games, injecting new vitality into the promotion and popularization of these projects.

The Asian Games is a concentrated display of the competitive strength of various sports delegations. The Chinese sports delegation is full of confidence and welcomes the upcoming challenges. The Chinese team is full of confidence in competitions such as table tennis and badminton. The Chinese swimming team, Chinese weightlifting team, and others are poised to launch a challenge towards better results. Young athletes such as Quan Hongchan and Zheng Qinwen are eager to make breakthroughs in their debut at the Asian Games

The highlights of the Hangzhou Asian Games are not just on the field. From the mascot combination "Memories of Jiangnan" and the emblem "Tide", to the medals "Lake and Mountains" and the torch "Fireworks", from the venue resembling the "Dwelling in Fuchun Mountains" to the opening ceremony with the overall theme of "Tide Rises Asia", traditional Chinese culture and regional characteristics are integrated into all aspects, injecting colorful connotations into the Asian Games.

Consolidate unity and strength

Promoting communication and cooperation

On September 19th, the first day of the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Chinese sports delegation won consecutive victories in beach volleyball and football events. The cheers and shouts from the audience kept coming and going, creating a very lively atmosphere for the competition.

Since the launch of public ticketing for the Hangzhou Asian Games, people have been enthusiastic about buying tickets, and tickets for popular competitions are hard to come by. On new media platforms, topics related to the Hangzhou Asian Games frequently make it to the hot search list, reflecting the public's attention and expectations for the Asian Games.

From spectators to participants, more people have become part of the Asian Games. The "I Contribute to the Asian Games" activity has collected many "golden ideas"; The number of participants in the "Digital Torchbearer" exceeded 100 million

Taking the Asian Games as an opportunity, the nationwide fitness craze is surging, outlining a vibrant urban landscape. Competition and training venues are open to the public before the competition to encourage more people to participate in sports and exercise. In August of this year, the Huanglong Sports Center by Xizi Lake held a National Fitness Day Sports Carnival, and thousands of citizens experienced the charm of sports in the Asian Games venues in advance.

There is great potential for the Hangzhou Asian Games to provide development opportunities for the host city and leave a sustainable heritage for the Asian Games.

One of the original intentions of the establishment of the Asian Games was to promote the unity of Asia. This is a stage for sports competition, a platform for cultural exchange, and a joyful gathering. The slogan of "Heart to Heart Integration @ Future" at the Hangzhou Asian Games is highly consistent with the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger - More Unity", conveying the voice of promoting cooperation and win-win cooperation in Asia and even the world through sports.

Crossing the river of time and 72 years, the Asian Games is taking Hangzhou as a new starting point and moving towards a better tomorrow.