AusLeisure

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has announced that Hangzhou’s postponed Asian Games will now take place from 23rd September to 8th October next year.

Originally set to run from 10th to 25th September this year, the multi-sport event was postponed in May in response to Chinese COVID-19 restrictions.

At the time, China was in the middle of its worst outbreak of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic and the OCA said it acted following “detailed discussions” with the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC).

A task force set up by COC, HAGOC and other stakeholders has subsequently finalised the new dates for the Games, finding a window for the Games which does not conflict with other major international sporting events.

Approved by the OCA Executive Board, the OCA will also now shift its next General Assembly from Hangzhou to Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh – set to be held on 4th October.

Hangzhou 2022 is set to be China's third staging of the Asian Games, following Beijing 1990 and Guangzhou 2010.

It is among a number of sporting events in the country to be either cancelled or delayed because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Two postponements have seen the Chengdu 2021 Summer World University Games moved to 2023, while the Asian Beach Games in Sanya are also now scheduled to be held in 2023.

The Asian Youth Games in Shantou were cancelled altogether, while China pulled out of hosting next year's AFC Asian Cup.

Image: Hangzhou Asian Games venue the Gongshu Canal Sports Park. Credit: @19thAGHZ2022.

Related Articles

19th July 2022 - Australia, Indonesia, South Korea and Qatar express interest in hosting 2023 AFC Asian Cup

16th May 2022 - Covid-hit China relinquishes hosting rights for 2023 AFC Asian Cup

6th May 2022 - OCA announces postponement of Hangzhou’s Asian Games

26th April 2022 - Squash Court design implements sustainable concept of Hangzhou Asian Games

4th April 2022 - Organisers advise of completion of all venues for 19th Asian Games Hangzhou

19th January 2022 - CAA China engaged to supply venue management skills at Hangzhou Sports Park

13th January 2022 - Refurbishment completed on key venues for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games hosting

16th December 2021 - New venues complete for 19th Asian Games as Hangzhou announces ‘zero-waste’ event

8th November 2021 - Esports to feature as medal sport at Asian Games Hangzhou

30th September 2021 - China to restrict Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics tickets to residents

21st September 2021 - Xi’an municipal government considers China National Games as opportunity to focus on wellness

10th March 2021 - FIBO China set to be staged as hybrid event with world’s first post-COVID on-site fitness show

31st December 2020 - Olympic Council of Asia announces second postponement of 6th Asian Beach Games

30th December 2020 - Almost half of China’s 1.4 billion population spend less than US$150 a year on leisure activities

11th December 2020 - World Athletics announces second postponement of Nanjing’s World Athletics Indoor Championships

18th March 2020 - Preparations recommence for Hangzhou’s 2022 Asian Games hosting

29th January 2018 - 2018 FINA World Aquatics Convention to be staged in Hangzhou

20th November 2017 - Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games organisers announce venue development schedule

17th September 2015 - OCA confirms Hangzhou as 2022 Asian Games host as secretary general steps down