DYK?: The Asian Games
Source: Lanka Woman
You’ve heard of the Olympics, especially this year with the 2024 Paris Olympics, but did you know that there are regional games in Asia? They are called the Asian Games, also known as Asiad, and are the largest sports competition held in Asia.
They Occur Every 4 Years
Just like the global Olympics, the Asian Games also take place every four years. The last games were the 2022 Hangzhou Games, postponed to 2023. The next games will be held in Japan in 2026.
Thousands of Athletes Compete in Dozens of Sports
For each Asian Games, over 12,000 athletes from 45 countries attend and compete in over 40 sports. The sports include all of the traditional Olympic sports and some uniquely Asian sports
Some of the Sports are Uniquely Asian
Though most of the sports in the games are your traditional Olympic competitions, some are uniquely Asian. Sports such as kabaddi, sepaw takra, and cricket have been played at the Asian Games in the past.
The Games Have a Rich History
The Asian Games was first held in 1951 in New Delhi, after WWII, to help re-establish the bonds between Asian countries. The Games were a way to foster friendship through sports and help contribute to world peace by recognizing diversity in Asian countries. The Asian Games motto is "Ever Onward" and the symbol is a bright sun in red with 16 rays and a white circle which represents the warm spirit of the Asian people.
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