Which countries have hosted the ‘Asian Games’?

 Proudly bearing the flags of their respective nations, the athletes led the national delegations, as they paraded into the ‘Gelora Bung Kamo Stadium,’ in the host city of  Jakarta, Indonesia. This officially marked the beginning of the 2018 Asian Games. Also known as Jakarta-Palembang 2018, it is a pan-Asian multi-sport event, held from the August 18th to September 2nd, 2018.

To celebrate the spirit of the newly emerged independent Asian nations, the formation of a new type of competition was desired to represent the Asian dominance, by mutual cohesion rather than violence. The proposition by the  Indian International Olympic Committee  representative,  ‘Guru Dutt Sondhi,’ of replacing the preceding  ‘Far Eastern Championship Games with the Asian Games, led to the early establishment of the program. It was believed to reflect the spirit of unity and level of achievement in the Asian sports.

Formerly regulated by the ‘Asian Games Federation (AGF),’ the games have been organized and regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia, after the dissolution of the former in 1982. Stated as the second largest sporting event after the Olympic Games, it has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Asiad is held every four years, dating back to the inaugural edition of 1951, held at New Delhi, India. This was followed by Manila, Philippines (1954), Tokyo, Japan(1958), Jakarta, Indonesia(1962), Bangkok, Thailand(1966) and (1970), Tehran, Iran (1974), Bangkok, Thailand(1978), New Delhi, India(1982), Seoul, South Korea(1986), Beijing, China(1990), Hiroshima, Japan(1994), Bangkok, Thailand(1998), Busan, South Korea(2002), Doha, Qatar(2006), Guangzhou, China(2010), Incheon, South Korea(2014), Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia( 2018).

All 45 members affiliated to the Olympic Council of Asia, are eligible to take part, with the exception of Israel, due to security reasons. The events span 39 disciplines, 51 sports and 400 events, as part of the Asian Games Program at one point or the other.

2018 Asian Games:

The one of its kind opening ceremony of the 18th  Asiad, was held on a massive scale, with an inspiring theme of the four great elements: Fire, Water, Air and Earth  and brightly represented the spirit of Asia. The motto of the program ‘Energy of Asia,’ was evident in the opening ceremony and in the program, logo depicting the ariel view of the ‘Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.’ Whereas the closing ceremony will carry the high spirit of ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ showcasing many arts and cultural aspects of Indonesia, by the finest artists. Symbolizing Indonesia’s diversity in culture as well as in wildlife, the mascots for the Jakarta-Palembang 2018 were chosen to be: Bhin, the bird of  paradise; Atung, the Bawean deer and Kaka, the one-horned rhino. They stand for strategy, speed and fighting spirit and for strength and power respectively, as qualities expected from the delegates of the event. The facilities for the games are in four different sports clusters, with 15 arenas for matches and 11 training areas, to support the implementation of the games.

Unveiling 462 events in 40 disciplines, the event was the second largest program in the Asian Games history. With a stunning addition for the first time, eSports and canoe polo  were contested as demonstration sports in the event. These sports are only for the promotion and hence the medals won will not be counted in the official medal tally.

As on September 1st 2018, China is the leading nation with the highest number of medals followed by  Japan  and  South Korea, each with a total of 263, 189,160 medals respectively.

The Asian Games is a platform for the artists, sportsmen and the people of Asia to come forward and showcase their regional and cultural identities. The program is a true representation of the advances and progress made in the region, while also a clear indication of steps made towards peaceful coexistence in harmony.

Carrying forward the torch of the Asiad, the  19th  Asian Games  will be held in  Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China  in the year 2022.

Below lying table depicts the host nations, cities and the year of the event:

Know more:

• Summer Olympics Tokyo 2020
• Winter Olympics participating nations

• Olympic Games history
• Commonwealth Games

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