Preparations approaching the final lap

By Qiu Quanlin (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-13 11:47

GUANGZHOU: The 16th Asian Games headed into their final phase of preparations on Wednesday with a meeting for leaders of national teams known as the Chefs de Mission Seminar.

At the one-year countdown ceremony for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on Thursday, the host city extends a warm welcome to people across the Asian and even the world. [Xinhua]

The seminar was held a day ahead of Thursday's celebration of the one-year countdown to the upcoming sports gala.

Delegates representing national committees from each of the 45 participant countries and regions governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) were in attendance at the downtown Garden Hotel.

The Guangdong Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) "outlined a detailed operation plan for the competition venues and made full preparations for each national committee", said Tsunekazu Takeda, chairman of OCA Coordination Committee.

He said that he hoped that the important information delegates bring back to their countries and regions will continue to inspire athletes to do their best in the Games.

Yang Shu'an, vice-minister of the General Administration of Sport of China, extended a warm welcome to delegates and expressed appreciation for their support and cooperation.

He said that the Chinese Olympic Committee has communicated and cooperated with the OCA, Asian Sports Federations and national committees, and will continue assist sports organizations and professionals in offering all their assistance to the GAGOC.

Zhang Guangning, mayor of Guangzhou, said that the seminar was another milestone during the preparations of the Games.

"Preparations are right on track," he said.

During the Chefs de Mission Seminar, officials from the GAGOC presented delegates with a meticulous review of all aspects of preparations for the 2010 Asian Games and athletic competition.

The GAGOC will listen to suggestions from the missions and optimize policies and standards to offer more careful and attentive assistance, especially to athletes, Zhang said.

Delegates were also briefed on anti-doping rules, safety measures and ticketing policies.

Following the meeting, the GAGOC will now send policies, processes and invitations to sports federations in each of the 45 countries and regions.

Along with the seminar, a groundbreaking ceremony for "Harmony Wall" and the one-year countdown ceremony to the Games were held yesterday.

The Asian Games are the second-largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympic Games.

Governed by The Olympic Council of Asia, the 16th Asian Games will have 42 sports including each of the sports and disciplines of the Beijing Olympics last summer.

As well, events will include both baseball and softball - which have been removed from the Olympic program - as well as golf and rugby, which were added during the IOC Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark last month.

Non-Olympic sports for the 16th Asian Games will include chess, dragon boat racing, bowling and dance sport.

The Games' 53 competition venues - 12 newly built - will be handed over to the organizing committee between March and June 2010.

Forty-three roads and eight rail lines in Guangzhou are under construction or renovation, including two all-new terminals at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and a 30-km rail line linking the airport with downtown, organizers said.

The general competition schedule for all sports has been completed, organizers said.

Twenty-seven test events including beach volleyball, boxing, cricket, basketball, wrestling and shooting will begin in May 2010, the organizing committee said.

Official hotels have been designated and more than 14,000 guest rooms in Guangzhou are ready for visitors. The Asian Games torch relay will begin in August next year and conclude on November 12 during the opening ceremony of the Games.