Host with the most ready to shine

Local legend Li Lingwei says Asiad is perfect platform to showcase Zhejiang's diverse delights

Born and raised in Zhejiang, Chinese badminton legend and veteran sports administrator Li Lingwei says her home province is ready to showcase its many delights to the world as host of the 19th Asian Games.

With two days to go before the Asian Games flame lights up China for the third time in history, Li took a stroll down memory lane as she highlighted the sporting gala's positive influence on the nation over the past three decades.

"After so long, I can still hear, feel and visualize the passion of the crowd filling the streets to watch the relay and how excited each face looked," Li, a retired badminton world champion, recalled of running a leg of the 1990 Beijing Asian Games torch relay at Hangzhou's Wulin Square.

"The Chinese people's enthusiasm for sports and their hospitality made a strong first impression on the world stage 33 years ago. The expectation has grown higher with Hangzhou more than ready to host Asia's very best at a well-organized sporting spectacle," added Li, an International Olympic Committee member who also serves as a deputy secretary-general of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee.

Adhering to the highest standards in sustainability, hospitality and technology, Hangzhou, supported by five co-host cities, is primed to deliver an even bigger and better Asiad, following the 1990 Beijing and 2010 Guangzhou editions. Organizers are confident that the games will maintain China's impeccable track record of delivering its bid promises when staging major global events.

The Hangzhou Asiad, which includes both Olympic and non-Olympic sports, will see about 12,500 athletes from all 45 national and regional Olympic committees in Asia compete in a record 481 medal events through Oct 8, making it the biggest ever edition of the games.

Esports and breaking, a street dancing discipline, will make their debuts as official medal events on the Asian Games program in Hangzhou, where Olympic qualification quotas for Paris 2024 will be up for grabs in nine sports.

"Anticipation levels are high and I am sure Hangzhou will be worth the wait. Records will fall and new milestones will be accomplished in Hangzhou," said Li, a 13-time badminton world champion who is also an executive council member of the Association of National Olympic Committees.

Yasuhiro Inomata, deputy secretary-general of the 2026 Asian Games organizing committee in Japan, expressed high hopes for Hangzhou.

"Every venue is fantastic, and the staff, as well as the volunteers, are enthusiastic. Especially when riding the subway, the synchronized promotional videos playing outside the windows are awe-inspiring," said Inomata, who visited Hangzhou during a venue tour in April.

Raja Sapta Oktohari, chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, is treating the Hangzhou games as an invaluable learning experience in sports infrastructure planning and construction.

"We want to show the Indonesians the proper way of building infrastructure for sports, and I believe China sets a very good example for that ... We are looking forward to a great spectacle hosted by Hangzhou," said Oktohari.

With China earning a reputation for hosting events with a wow factor in recent decades, organizers nowadays are more focused on sustainability and legacy, especially integrating infrastructure into urban rejuvenation projects.

Hangzhou's emphasis on reusing existing facilities, opening venues for public use in the pre-games stage and upgrading city infrastructure in line with preparations for the Asiad have set an example for future hosts, Li reckoned.

"There has been a growing consensus among international sports governing bodies in recent years that Chinese organizers always deliver on their guarantees," said Li, who was also heavily involved in preparations for both the Beijing 2008 Summer and 2022 Winter Olympics.

"The Chinese government's commitment to deliver, the organizational expertise of experienced staff and the overwhelming public support have made China a safe and reliable destination for international sports events," she said.

Li also encouraged more athletes from China to embrace administrative and managerial roles after retirement, especially with international governing bodies.

"Chinese athletes these days are more confident than our generation and they've had greater exposure to foreign languages, different cultures and the rules and regulations of international organizations.

"I hope that more athletes in the twilight of their athletic careers will seriously consider getting involved in international sports administration.

"We've produced enough world-class athletes, we've hosted major sports events of all kinds, and it's time to further enhance China's presence in the global sports community more comprehensively," Li said.

As a native of Zhejiang, Li said she urged all Asian Games participants to experience the provincial capital's rich array of historical and cultural attractions, as well as sample the city's authentic daily life.

"We don't need to sell them all the scenic spots, or must-visit attractions, or tell them how pleasant Hangzhou is. The city's charm speaks for itself," she said. "As long as they learn and experience with their own eyes and minds, word of mouth will spread the message to the rest of the world."