Xi Jinping, the leader of China, officially inaugurated the Asian Games at the magnificent ‘Big Lotus’ stadium in Hangzhou. The stadium, known for its lotus-shaped roof, is comprised of 28 large and 27 smaller petal-like structures and can accommodate up to 80,000 spectators. This year’s Asian Games will be the largest ever, with over 12,000 athletes from the 45 member countries of the Asian Olympic Council participating in various sporting events.
Distinguished guests from all over the world have gathered for the opening ceremony, including King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Hong Kong’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu, and South Korea’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The ceremony will be attended by approximately 50,000 people, while 1,200 volunteers will lend their assistance at the venue.
China’s swimming world champion Qin Haiyang and basketball player Yang Liwei will proudly carry the Chinese delegation’s flag during the opening ceremony. In an effort to promote environmental responsibility, the organizers have decided to utilize digital fireworks instead of traditional fireworks.
Hangzhou, known as the home of Chinese tech-giant Alibaba, intends to showcase cutting-edge technologies throughout the games, including cloud computing and artificial intelligence at the Games Village. Robots will also be deployed at certain venues to provide guidance and security.
The Asian Games will feature a total of 481 sporting events, taking place across 56 venues in Hangzhou until October 8. The mascots for this year’s games are three robots named Chenchen, Congcong, and Lianlian, representing both the ancient landmarks of the host city and its contemporary vibrancy.
Originally scheduled for 2022, the Asian Games were postponed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During a meeting with the organizers, Xi expressed his confidence in the Chinese government’s ability to deliver a remarkable sports event that highlights the nation’s distinctive features and celebrates the charm of Asia.
With the opening ceremony underway, the Asian Games in Hangzhou will undoubtedly captivate audiences worldwide. As athletes from across Asia compete in various sports, the games will not only showcase their abilities but also provide a platform to foster cultural exchange and friendship among nations.
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