2010 Asian Games

2010 Asian Games
Name	2010 Asian Games
Caption	Official logo
Host city	Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Nations	45
Athletes	9,704
Events	476 in 42 sports
Opening	12 November 2010
Closing	27 November 2010
Opened by	Wen Jiabao
Stadium	Guangdong Olympic Stadium
Previous	2006 Asian Games in Doha
Next	2014 Asian Games in Incheon

2010 Asian Games. The 2010 Asian Games, officially known as the XVI Asiad, were a major multi-sport event held in Guangzhou, China, from 12 to 27 November 2010. Organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Games featured 9,704 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees competing in 476 events across 42 sports. The event was opened by Premier Wen Jiabao at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium and marked the second time China hosted the Asian Games, following the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.

Overview

The Guangzhou Asian Games were the largest edition in the event's history at the time, surpassing the scale of the preceding 2006 Asian Games in Doha. The Olympic Council of Asia awarded the hosting rights to Guangzhou in July 2004, defeating rivals Seoul and Kuala Lumpur. The Games' motto, "Thrilling Games, Harmonious Asia," reflected ambitions for regional unity and sporting excellence. A massive security and logistical operation was coordinated by the Guangzhou Municipal Government and the Chinese Olympic Committee, with significant investments in urban infrastructure and public transport. The opening ceremony, directed by Chen Weiya, a veteran of the 2008 Summer Olympics ceremonies, showcased elaborate cultural performances and technological spectacles.

Participating nations

All 45 member nations of the Olympic Council of Asia participated, with East Timor making its Asian Games debut. The People's Republic of China fielded the largest delegation as the host nation. Other major contingents came from traditional sporting powers like Japan, South Korea, and India. Nations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran also sent strong teams, particularly in strength and combat sports. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia were prominent among Gulf states. Notably, athletes from North Korea competed under their National Olympic Committee flag amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Sports

The program included 28 Olympic sports and 14 non-Olympic sports, with several disciplines making their Asian Games debut. New additions included dance sport, dragon boat, roller sports, and the chess variant Xiangqi. Traditional events like cricket, sepaktakraw, and wushu remained staples. The aquatics program was held at the FINA-approved Guangzhou Olympic Sports Center. Other highlights included competitions in athletics at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium, badminton at the Tianhe Gymnasium, and gymnastics at the Asian Games Town Gymnasium. The Guangzhou International Sports Arena hosted the basketball finals.

Venues

Competitions were spread across 53 venues in Guangzhou and three co-host cities, Dongguan, Shanwei, and Foshan. The main cluster was the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, which included the Guangdong Olympic Stadium and the Guangzhou Olympic Sports Center. The Asian Games Town in Panyu District housed the Athletes' Village and several venues. Other key facilities included the Haixinsha Island for the opening and closing ceremonies, the Guangzhou Gymnasium for table tennis, and the Aoti Hockey Field. The Yingdong Natatorium hosted swimming events, while Tianhe Sports Center staged football matches.

Medal table

The host nation, People's Republic of China, dominated the medal standings, topping the table with 199 gold medals. South Korea finished second, followed by Japan in third. Other nations in the top ten included Iran, Kazakhstan, India, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Malaysia. Notable performances included Singapore's first gold in sailing since 1994 and Mongolia's first-ever Asian Games gold in judo. The Olympic Council of Asia recognized Maki Tsukada of Japan and Zou Kai of China among the standout athletes.

Legacy

The Games accelerated the transformation of Guangzhou's urban landscape, leading to the expansion of the Guangzhou Metro and the development of the Zhujiang New Town central business district. Many venues, such as the Guangzhou International Sports Arena, were integrated into long-term public use and later hosted events like the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The success bolstered China's reputation for organizing mega-events following the 2008 Summer Olympics and preceded its hosting of the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics. The Guangzhou Municipal Government repurposed the Athletes' Village into residential housing, and the event is credited with enhancing the city's global profile as a hub in the Pearl River Delta.

Category:2010 Asian Games Category:2010 in multi-sport events Category:Asian Games by year