This is a visual explainer based on the Wikipedia article on the 2010 Asian Games. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Guangzhou 2010: Asia's Sporting Tapestry

A comprehensive chronicle of the XVI Asian Games, celebrating athletic prowess and continental unity.

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Event Overview

Host City & Dates

The XVI Asian Games, officially known as Guangzhou 2010, were a significant regional multi-sport event held from November 12 to November 27, 2010, in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Several events commenced earlier, starting on November 7, 2010. This marked the second time China hosted the prestigious Asian Games, following the 1990 event in Beijing.

Continental Scale

Guangzhou, along with its neighboring cities Dongguan, Foshan, and Shanwei, served as co-hosts. The Games brought together 9,704 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), competing across 42 sports and 57 disciplines. This made it the largest edition in the history of the Asian Games at that time.

Emblem & Motto

The official emblem was inspired by Guangzhou's legendary "Statue of the Five Goats," symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. The Games' motto, "Thrilling Games, Harmonious Asia," encapsulated the spirit of competition and unity across the continent.

The Bidding Process

Candidate Cities

The bidding process saw initial interest from Seoul and Amman, but both withdrew early. This left Guangzhou and Kuala Lumpur as the primary candidates. However, due to financial considerations and a lack of government support for the Malaysian bid, Kuala Lumpur also withdrew, leaving Guangzhou as the sole bidder.

Unanimous Selection

In July 2004, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) unanimously selected Guangzhou to host the 2010 Asian Games during their 23rd General Assembly in Doha, Qatar. This decision solidified Guangzhou's position as the host city for this major continental sporting event.

Development & Preparations

Financial Investment

The staging of the Games and the accompanying Asian Para Games involved substantial financial commitment. Initial estimates varied, but the final reported cost for staging the event and related infrastructure development was approximately ¥122.6 billion (US$18.37 billion). This included significant investment in city infrastructure and venue construction/renovation.

Volunteer Mobilization

A robust volunteer program was established, targeting 60,000 participants for the Games. Volunteers received specific uniforms and support, playing a crucial role in the smooth operation of the event. Recruitment commenced in April 2009, highlighting the extensive planning involved.

Torch Relay

The torch relay route was designed on a smaller scale compared to previous events, emphasizing efficiency and budget considerations. The relay commenced after being lit at the Great Wall of China, visiting numerous cities across the country, culminating in Guangzhou. The torch design, named "The Tide," was selected for its dynamic imagery.

Marketing & Branding

The Games featured distinct marketing elements, including an official emblem based on the "Statue of the Five Goats" and five goat mascots named A Xiang, A He, A Ru, A Yi, and Le Yangyang. These elements aimed to embody the spirit and cultural identity of Guangzhou and Asia. Merchandising and promotional activities were launched well in advance to build anticipation.

Event Calendar

Daily Schedule Overview

The Games spanned from November 7 to November 27, 2010, with events spread across various dates. The calendar below illustrates the competition schedule, with specific sports and their medal events highlighted.

2010 Asian Games Calendar
November 7th
Sun
8th
Mon
9th
Tue
10th
Wed
11th
Thu
12th
Fri
13th
Sat
14th
Sun
15th
Mon
16th
Tue
17th
Wed
18th
Thu
19th
Fri
20th
Sat
21st
Sun
22nd
Mon
23rd
Tue
24th
Wed
25th
Thu
26th
Fri
27th
Sat
Events
Ceremonies OC CC
Aquatics Diving 22222 53
Swimming 667766
Synchronized swimming 111
Water polo 1 1
Archery 1111 4
Athletics 668411102 47
Badminton 2122 7
Baseball 1 1
Basketball 11 2
Board games Chess 22 9
Go 12
Xiangqi 2
Bowling 1111242 12
Boxing 67 13
Canoeing Slalom 2 16
Sprint 66
Cricket 11 2
Cue sports 2211211 10
Cycling BMX 2 18
Mountain bike 2
Road 11
Track 1324
Dancesport 55 10
Dragon boat 222 6
Equestrian 1 1111 6
Fencing 222222 12
Field hockey 11 2
Football 1 1 2
Golf 4 4
Gymnastics Artistic 11255 18
Rhythmic 11
Trampolining 2
Handball 2 2
Judo 4444 16
Kabaddi 2 2
Karate 544 13
Modern pentathlon 22 4
Roller sports 423 9
Rowing 77 14
Rugby sevens 2 2
Sailing 14 14
Sepak takraw 222 6
Shooting 6484644422 44
Softball 1 1
Soft tennis 212 2 7
Squash 2 4
Table tennis 232 7
Taekwondo 4444 16
Tennis 32 7
Triathlon 11 2
Volleyball Beach 11 4
Indoor 11
Weightlifting 2222223 15
Wrestling 333333 18
Wushu 22227 15
Daily medal events 28353136403236402127302839485 476
Cumulative Total 286394130170202238278299326356384423471476

Featured Sports

Aquatics

Encompassing Diving, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, and Water Polo, the aquatics events showcased incredible skill and athleticism in the water.

Athletics

The track and field events, held at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium, were a highlight, featuring a wide array of disciplines from sprints to endurance races and field events.

Team Sports

Popular team sports like Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and Field Hockey captured the attention of fans, demonstrating strategic play and coordinated teamwork.

Combat Sports

Disciplines such as Judo, Taekwondo, Boxing, and Karate tested the physical and mental fortitude of athletes in intense one-on-one competitions.

Cycling

From the speed of track cycling to the agility of BMX and the endurance of road and mountain biking, cycling events offered diverse challenges.

Precision Sports

Sports like Shooting and Archery demanded exceptional focus and accuracy, rewarding athletes who could maintain peak concentration under pressure.

Participating Nations

Continental Representation

All 45 member National Olympic Committees of the Olympic Council of Asia participated, representing a vast geographical and cultural spectrum. Athletes from across the continent converged in Guangzhou to compete, fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Participating National Olympic Committees
NOC Athletes
Afghanistan 66
Bahrain 82
Bangladesh 150
Bhutan 11
Brunei 9
Cambodia 22
China (Host) 960
Hong Kong 401
India 626
Indonesia 216
Iran 362
Iraq 42
Japan 726
Jordan 86
Kazakhstan 365
North Korea 188
South Korea 788
Kuwait (under Olympic flag) 184
Kyrgyzstan 135
Laos 53
Lebanon 49
Macau 168
Malaysia 325
Maldives 82
Mongolia 219
Myanmar 69
Nepal 140
Oman 52
Pakistan 169
Palestine 41
Philippines 188
Qatar 250
Saudi Arabia 164
Singapore 240
Sri Lanka 104
Syria 44
Chinese Taipei 399
Tajikistan 67
Thailand 593
Timor-Leste 23
Turkmenistan 111
United Arab Emirates 84
Uzbekistan 220
Vietnam 260
Yemen 32

Medal Tally

Top Performing Nations

China dominated the medal table, setting a new record for gold medals won in a single edition of the Asian Games. The host nation was the first to surpass the 400-medal mark. Several nations, including Macau and Bangladesh, secured their first-ever Asian Games gold medals.

Ceremonies

Opening Ceremony

Held on November 12, 2010, the opening ceremony was uniquely staged on Haixinsha Island, utilizing the Pearl River and Canton Tower as focal points. Directed by a key figure from the Beijing 2008 Olympics, it featured a cast of thousands and was lauded for its innovative approach and cultural presentation.

Closing Ceremony

Concluding the Games on November 27, 2010, the closing ceremony included the official handover to Incheon, the host city for the 2014 Asian Games. The event featured cultural performances and highlighted the spirit of continuity and celebration.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the 2010 Asian Games Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. It does not constitute official information from the organizing committee or governing bodies.

This is not official event documentation. Information regarding schedules, results, or participant details should be verified with official sources. The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.