The 14th Asian Games officially ended with a closing ceremony at
the Asiad Main Stadium on Monday evening, with the baton handed
over to Doha, Qatar for the 2006 Games. Asian sporting powerhouse
China surpassed expectations, achieving the goal of finishing first
in the medals table with 150 golds, 84 silvers and 74 bronzes.
The 14th Pusan Asian Games, Asia's first sports festival of the new
millennium, ended with a bang on Monday evening in an 2 hour
closing ceremony at the Main Stadium with the theme of
"homecoming".
President of the Busan Asian Games Organizing Committee Chung
Soon-Taek delivered his closing remarks:
"I
declare the Asian Games closed and in accordance with the
tradition, I call upon the youth of Asia to assemble in four years
in Doha, Qatar, to celebrate the Asian Games there in accordance
with the ideals of the Olympic Council of Asia. May the youth of
Asia ever celebrate the Asian Games in the spirit of brotherhood
and for the good of humanity."
In
the closing ceremony, the Asian Games' flag and torch, and the flag
of the Olympic Council of Asia, were transferred to the president
of the 2006 Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee.
After taking 150 golds to top the medal table at the games, China
proved they are still the dominant force in Asian sports. And
Chinese swimmer Xu Yanwei turned out to be the most crowned
athletes in the games. She won five golds altogether.
Host South Korea also had a strong showing, reaping 96 gold medals
and placing
second in the overall medal standings. They beat neighbors Japan
for the second straight Asiad.
Despite winning 44 golds to South Korea's 96, Japan emerged as the
best performer in the games. Kitajima Kosuke, Japan's golden boy,
posted a world record of 2 minutes 9.97 seconds in the 200m
backstroke swimming event, which earned him the honor as the games'
most valuable player.
The list of title-winning delegations was expanded, as 25 countries
and regions stuck gold in the games against 23 in Bangkok in
1998.
What Busan Asiad Means for China?
China sent a strong contingent of more than 900 athletes to Busan.
Compared with the medal hunt, the delegation claims they care more
about training young athletes through international
competitions.
The delegation's deputy head Li Furong says they achieved this
goal.
"85 percent of our athletes are attending their first ever major
international sports meet. They stood the pressure. I'm happy they
made very good achievements."
Li
Furong particularly mentioned a number of teenagers, who pocketed
several gold medals, such as gymnast Zhang Nan, swimmers Xu Yanwei
and Wupeng. He says they are among the main hopefuls for the 2004
Olympic Games. So the decision mainly to send younger athletes has
paid off.
Also paid off is the hiring of foreign coaches and the introduction
of advanced training techniques.
Another official of the Chinese delegation, Yang Shu'an says this
is also partly the reason for China's victory in Busan.
"The Chinese delegation has invited a total of nine coaches from
other countries. They helped a lot in improving our level and
competition results."
Yang Shu'an cites the Chinese women's hockey team as an example.
Directed by a South Korean head coach, the team has made steady
improvements in training and competitions. This time in Basan, they
won the title.
But Busan is not just remembered for successes. It also witnessed
defeats of some Chinese competitors, including world and Olympic
champions. In table tennis, China lost some titles they have long
kept; in badminton, China lost in all men's events. China indeed
ranks first in swimming and in track and field, but few of its
champions in Basan gave world class performances. .
Deputy head of the Chinese delegation Li Furong says they will sum
their lessons in Busan, and prepare for the next Olympics.
( October 15, 2002)