China has revealed its formidable 886-member team for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, which were postponed by a year due to the country’s COVID situation and restrictions. With a legacy of topping the medals table at every Asian Games since 1982, China aims to maintain its dominance in the sporting arena and fulfill broader political objectives.
Gao Zhidan, the director of the national sports bureau, expressed confidence that the Chinese team would once again lead the medal tally at the Hangzhou Asian Games. The event’s launch in Beijing emphasized not only sporting success but also a commitment to projecting China’s modern sports prowess.
Athletes have been tasked with the responsibility to “bring glory to the country and fully demonstrate the immense power of China’s modern sports practice.” This mandate reflects China’s aspiration to showcase its excellence in sports and extend its influence on the international stage.
Additionally, Gao stressed the importance of raising “political awareness” among all team members. Athletes are expected to remember the “greater cause of the nation” and “present a positive image of China’s reform, development, and social progress to Asia and the international community.” This emphasis on political awareness underscores the connection between sports and national identity in China.
The Asian Games, often referred to as the Asiad, serve as an Olympics-like event for Asian countries, typically occurring every four years. The 19th edition of the Games will take place in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8, featuring a record-breaking 12,500 athletes. The competition spans 40 different sports, encompassing traditional disciplines like athletics and swimming, as well as emerging sports like esports, which will be a medal-winning event for the first time.
China’s commitment to both sporting excellence and projecting a positive national image highlights the multifaceted nature of the Hangzhou Asian Games, where athleticism and politics intersect on a grand stage.
