Hangzhou Asian Games flame was lit in the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City on Jun 15.
Hangzhou Asian Games medals named "Shan Shui" unveiled during the 100-day countdown celebration
By Jin Yingying, Fang Jingyi
Hangzhou Asian Games will take place from Sept 23 to Oct 8, 2023. Guided by the principle of "hosting Asian Games that involves the entire province with Hangzhou at the forefront", Hangzhou people are working hard to ensure that the host city and co-host cities of Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing, and Jinhua uphold a collective vision summarized by the phrase "the Asian Games for a Better City" as well as the goal of delivering a spectacular Asian Games with distinct Chinese characteristics and Asian glory.
On and around June 15, a series of celebrations were held for the 100-day countdown to Hangzhou Asian Games.
Flame lit in Liangzhu
The ignition ceremony for Hangzhou Asian Games flame was held at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City on the morning of June 15.
One of the 19 flame collectors used a concave mirror to ignite a torch with the sunlight. The mirror is designed like a jade bi, one of the symbolic jade wares unearthed from this site, symbolizing the radiant beams of the sun.
The flame was then presented to ignite the cauldron that drew inspiration from a jade cong, which is considered the oldest cosmological model in the Chinese civilization.
In mid-September, the torch lighting and torch relay launching ceremony will be held along the West Lake in Hangzhou. After that, the torch will be passed in 11 cities in Zhejiang province.
The Asian Games Digital Torchbearer Online Relay was simultaneously launched on Smart Hangzhou 2022. You can search for the "Asian Games" on Alipay and become an "Asian Games Digital Torchbearer" by logging into "Smart Hangzhou 2022."
By doing so, you will help spread the flame of Hangzhou Asian Games across Asia in the digital world and participate in an innovative digital lighting ceremony during the opening ceremony--the first in the history of the Asian Games. Aside from that, you will have a chance to win tickets to the Games, as well as the Asian Games-themed gifts.
On the same day, a theme activity to celebrate 100-day countdown to Hangzhou Asian Games was held at the Hangzhou China Esports Center, where the medal design, promotional videos and seven Asian Games promotion songs were released.
Medals unveiled featuring jade cong
The medals unveiled, named Shan Shui, inspired by the ceremonial jade cong unearthed from the Liangzhu Culture Relics dating back to 5,300 BC-4,300 BC, constitute an essential component of the Asian Games elements.
Shan Shui presents the geographical features of Hangzhou. By using protruding lines, the picture scroll of Hangzhou is outlined on the front side of the medal with misty hills on three sides and the city on one, with a rippling lake, and undulating mountains afar. The back side is shaped like a square seal, which signifies that the athletes will leave a beautiful mark on Hangzhou Asian Games. In addition, the design of the medals conveys the temperament of Hangzhou as the capital of the ecological development and showcases the sportsmanship of climbing heights.
Hangzhou Asian Games Village debuts
Some media reporters visited Hangzhou Asian Games Village on Jun 15. The Village is the largest non-competition venue for the Games, which spans an area of 1.13 sqm, with a floor area of 2.41 million sqm.
In addition to an international public area, the Village is divided into three sections for athletes, technical officials, and media reporters respectively. You may find 8 Resident Centers, 49 Accommodation Service Desks, Polyclinic, NOC Service Center, Sport Information Center, Doping Control Station, Athletes Dining Hall, Fitness Center and other supporting facilities in the Village. During the Asian Games, there will be more than 10,000 athletes and team officials, nearly 4,000 technical officials, and approximately 5,000 media reporters residing in the Village. Additionally, around 3,800 athletes and 1,500 team officials will stay in the Village during the Asian Para Games.
The pre-opening date of Hangzhou Asian Games Village is set on Sept 9. From Sept 9 to 20, the Delegation Registration Meeting will be held here, at which the time of transportation, tourism, rate card and participation in various ceremonies will be clarified.
Asian Games Museum to open after the Games
The Awarding and Handover Ceremony for the OCA Sport Arts Sculpture Donation to the Asian Games Museum was held on Jun 16. During the ceremony, the Olympic Council of Asia donated a total of six sculptures of sports to Hangzhou Asian Games Museum, namely, archery, running, basketball, fencing, tennis and equestrian. Through simple and modern sculptures, the scenes of people running, jumping, or riding horses in various sports are vividly captured.
Hangzhou Asian Games Museum is located in the southwest corner of the underground floor of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, covering an area of approximately 6,100 sqm, which is divided into three sections: the Asian Games and Hangzhou, the Asian Games and Asia, and the Asian Games and Future. The Museum will be fully open to the public after Hangzhou Asian Games, serving as an important exhibition of the Asian Games history, sports heritage and sports spirit.