Thank you for being part of the Hangzhou Asian Games
The 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, which recently concluded with the Philippines emerging as the champions in men's basketball, has been a testimony to China's prowess as a global sports powerhouse. Despite the disappointment of not winning the gold medal, there were other bright spots in the games that caught the attention of netizens on Weibo.
7 October 2023
The 'Xiaoqinghe' volunteers, named after a poem about West Lake, served with full enthusiasm and provided attentive service throughout the games. These 376,000 volunteers were the backbone of the event, providing warmth and beauty to everyone in attendance.
Zhao Rui, Zhao Jiwai, and other players left the court in tears, showing their dedication and passion for the sport. Despite the team's shortcomings due to the absence of key players like Yilidong Li, they managed to improve compared to previous years. The backup court saw higher scores than those of the center and forward courts throughout the games.
One Weibo user expressed disappointment after witnessing China's men's basketball team fail to make it to the semifinals. They had purchased tickets for the final round of the tournament, expecting a victorious performance from China. The Philippine team's dominant display continued in their match against Jordan, winning them the gold medal with ease. This user opined that the gap between Asian basketball and international standards is widening following China's men's soccer team's disappointing outing.
The six-sided warrior of the Yuanwei Scene, 'Xiaoqing He', was another talking point among netizens. Health venues in Hangzhou were either free or low cost during the double-holiday period, prompting many to combine sports and tourism in their travel plans. A Weibo video by CGTN Finance showed this trend, with many people enjoying their time in Hangzhou while also watching the games.
The closing ceremony of the 19th Asian Games was set to be held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium on October 8. The creative team revealed that the focus would be on innovation and technology, reflecting the 'smart' approach adopted by the organizers in this edition of the games.
The involvement of internet giants was another significant aspect of the games. Seven companies sponsored by internet giants participated, double the number seen in Guangzhou Asian Games. The reason behind this increase was attributed to the 'smart' organization of the Asian Games and the internet giant's need to move from online to offline interaction with the public.
In other news, the Hangzhou Organizing Committee for the Asian Games launched a name competition for the mascot of the games. The winning name was yet to be announced. Meanwhile, athletes from Jiangxi emerged victorious in multiple events at the games, winning eight gold medals. This achievement was celebrated on Weibo by netizens who praised their talent and dedication.
In conclusion, the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 was a testament to China's growing influence in international sports, with its proactive approach towards innovation and technology. While some disappointments were experienced by Chinese fans, they were also cheered by the efforts of the 'Xiaoqinghe' volunteers and the victories of athletes from Jiangxi. The closing ceremony and the mascot competition are just a few of the many highlights that the games had to offer.