BEIJING 1990

China hosted the event for the first time with 6,122 athletes from 37 countries participating in 27 sports. Taekwondo, included for the first time in the previous Games, was excluded, along with equestrian events. Boxing, canoeing, kabaddi, wushu and sepak takraw were introduced.

Top three nations:

Gold Silver Bronze Total

China 183 107 51 341

South Korea 54 54 73 181

Japan 38 60 76 174

HIROSHIMA 1994

For the first time, the Games were not held in a capital city. Hiroshima in Japan hosted 6,828 athletes from 42 countries participating in 34 sports. Former Soviet republics Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan competed for the first time and Cambodia returned to the Games after 20 years.

Baseball, karate, modern pentathlon and tennis were added.

Top three nations:

Gold Silver Bronze Total

China 125 83 58 266

South Korea 64 75 79 218

Japan 63 56 64 183

BANGKOK 1998

The Games returned to Thailand for a fourth time. Rugby, billiards, snooker and squash were added. Some 6,700 athletes from 41 countries participated in 36 sports but the host nation could not break into the top three medal-winners as they had done in the 5th and 6th Games.

Top three nations:

Gold Silver Bronze Total

China 129 78 67 274

South Korea 65 46 53 164

Japan 52 61 68 181

PUSAN 2002

With 44 countries involved, the 14th Asian Games featured 38 sports and 420 events. Afghanistan returned to competitive action and East Timor was represented for the first time since its independence. China topped the medals table for the sixth consecutive Games.

Top three nations:

Gold Silver Bronze Total

China 150 84 74 308

South Korea 96 80 84 260

Japan 44 73 72 189

DOHA 2006

Qatar will host 45 teams taking part in 39 sports and 423 events. This is the second time after Iran in 1974 that the Games are being staged in the Middle East.

Sources: Official website of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 (www.doha-2006.com); Reuters

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