Asian Games 2018

Asian Games 2018
Name	2018 Asian Games
Host city	Jakarta and Palembang
Nations	45
Athletes	11,300+
Events	465 in 40 sports
Opening	18 August 2018
Closing	2 September 2018

Asian Games 2018 The 2018 Asian Games were a major multisport event held in Jakarta and Palembang, featuring athletes from across Asia competing in a wide program of sports and disciplines. The Games followed the legacy of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Olympic Movement, engaging national Olympic committees, continental federations, and international federations in a coordinated effort. The event influenced regional sport development, infrastructure projects, and international relations among Asian nations.

Background and Bidding

The bid process involved national Olympic committees such as the Indonesia Olympic Committee, Chinese Olympic Committee, Indian Olympic Association, Kazakhstan National Olympic Committee, and South Korea Olympic Committee exchanging proposals influenced by precedents set by hosts like Beijing, Seoul, Doha, and Incheon. The Olympic Council of Asia evaluated technical bids against criteria used in assessments for events such as the Summer Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, and looked to past organisers including Guangzhou and Bangkok for operational benchmarks. Political stakeholders including the Government of Indonesia, the Province of South Sumatra, the Jakarta Special Capital Region Administration, and corporate partners negotiated financing models resembling those used in agreements for FIFA World Cup-related infrastructure and major events like the Expo 2010.

Host City and Venues

Jakarta, the national capital, and Palembang, a historic metropolis on Sumatra, served as co-hosts. Venues included renovated sites such as the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, the Jakabaring Sport City complex, and arenas repurposed from projects linked to Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and regional multisport competitions. Transportation hubs like Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, Kertajati International Airport, and the Palembang Light Rail Transit system were integral to the plan, alongside accommodation clustered in zones used previously for events in Tokyo, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Urban regeneration tied into initiatives seen in cities such as Shanghai and Doha, while heritage sites in Jakarta Old Town and Ampera Bridge were highlighted for cultural exchange.

Organisation and Logistics

The organising committee coordinated with entities including the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Olympic Council of Asia, and international federations such as Fédération Internationale de Football Association for football scheduling and International Boxing Association for boxing. Security frameworks referenced models from the Asian Games 2014 and the Summer Olympics with police forces, national guard units, and private contractors collaborating. Sponsorship and broadcasting deals involved corporations and media groups similar to partnerships between Samsung, Toyota, Coca-Cola, and regional broadcasters like China Central Television, NHK, and Star Sports. The tournament used accreditation, anti-doping protocols guided by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and volunteer programs modeled on those of London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Sports and Events

The sports program featured disciplines governed by federations including the International Association of Athletics Federations, the International Swimming Federation, the International Table Tennis Federation, and the International Boxing Association. New and regional sports followed precedents set by events such as the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, integrating competitions in kabaddi, sepak takraw, and wushu alongside athletics, aquatics, cycling, and team sports like football and basketball. Medal events mirrored formats used in the Olympic Games for athletics, swimming, and gymnastics while incorporating continent-specific championships akin to the Asian Football Confederation tournaments and the Asian Swimming Championships.

Participating Nations and Athletes

Delegations from National Olympic Committees including Japan Olympic Committee, People's Republic of China Olympic Committee, Republic of Korea Olympic Committee, India Olympic Association, Iran National Olympic Committee, and Thailand Olympic Committee fielded athletes. Smaller NOCs such as Bhutan Olympic Committee, Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, and Nepal Olympic Committee also attended. Notable athletes who competed had profiles comparable to those seen at the Olympic Games, the World Championships in Athletics, and the IAAF Diamond League, with specialists from national programs like China Swimming and Japan Athletics contending for top honors. The event included para-sport demonstration initiatives and development programs tied to bodies like the Asian Paralympic Committee.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Ceremonies showcased cultural performances referencing Indonesian arts similar to presentations at the Expo 2010 and national events such as the Independence Day of Indonesia. High-profile attendees included political figures, heads of state, and leaders from organisations like the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Artistic direction drew from traditions evident in performances at World Expos and state ceremonies in capitals such as Beijing and Seoul, while ceremonies were broadcast by networks including TVRI and international partners, employing production teams with experience from the Asian Television Awards.

Medal Table and Notable Results

The final medal standings featured strong performances by delegations such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, echoing competitive patterns seen at the Asian Athletics Championships and the Asian Swimming Championships. Individual champions included athletes who later competed at the Olympic Games and the World Championships. Records in athletics and aquatics were comparable to marks registered during the Asian Championships cycle, and team sports results influenced seedings for future tournaments organized by bodies like the Asian Football Confederation and the International Basketball Federation.

Category:Asian Games