The magnificent show of the last 15 days which portrayed the dreams
and aspirations of Asia passed into the recess of history as the
largest ever Asian Games came to a close Friday night at the
Khalifa Stadium in an atmosphere of friendship and unity.
China once again maintained its dominant stranglehold over Asian
sport, topping the overall medal table with 165 golds, 88 silvers
and 63 bronzes. In second place, South Korea had 58 golds and 193
overall, followed by Japan in third, with 50 golds and 198total
medals.
It was the first time that the Asian Games have been held in the
Arabic region and only the second time in the Middle East. Iran
hosted the event in 1974.
Qatar, home to just 700,000 people, most expatriate foreign
workers, has invested 2.8 billion US dollars in transforming Doha
for the Games with the country believing it will provide a lasting
legacy.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad
Al-Thani, chairman of the board of directors of the Doha 2006
Organizing Committee (DAGOC) said, "For the people of Qatar, we
have shown to the world that Qatar is the sports capital of Asia,
and an international center for culture, business and
hospitality."
"The 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 has been a remarkable journey.
This is just the beginning for us," he added.
Doha is expected to launch a formal bid next year to host the
2016 Summer Olympic Games, with Tokyo, San Francisco, Madrid as
potential rivals.
OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah extended his
gratitude to the organizers for delivering a successful Games.
"The Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee deserves our warm
congratulations for their untiring efforts to make the games a
great success and also for providing the athletes and spectators
with state-of-the-art infrastructure and marvelous cultural
programs during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games,"
said Sheikh Ahmad.
The opening ceremony on Dec. 1 may have had the cultural aspect
to it, but the finale provided more in the way of
entertainment.
With the tale of "A Thousand and One Nights" as the basis for
the closing ceremony, the two-hour show began with a Qatari boy
emerging from the stadium field and transporting the spectators
into the adventures of Ali Baba, Sinbad and Aladdin.
The stage was then set for the protocol part of the ceremony
which got underway with the entry of the athletes and officials, to
an ovation from the 50,000-strong audience.
As the curtain of the 15th Asian Games was rung down at the
Khalifa Stadium, the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia was handed
over to Guangzhou, China, which will host the next Games in 2010. A
short segment titled "Orient Charm" then highlighted a vibrant and
new China ready to embrace the world.
South Korean swimmer Tae Hwan Park was honored as the Games'
most valuable athlete at the closing ceremony. The 17-year-old had
raced to the major achievement of the Games, breaking two Asiad
records and grabbing three titles in freestyle swimming events.
Hours before the closing ceremony, Qatar's men's soccer team
beat Iraq 1-0 in the final to claim the last gold medal of the
Games.
The Games, however, have been tainted by a string of doping
scandals. Iraqi bodybuilder Saad Faeaz was thrown out after 134
doses of the performance-enhancing steroid nandrolone were found in
his luggage by the authorities at Doha's international airport,
while other four weightlifters were disqualified for positive
doping tests.
Meanwhile, the death of South Korean equestrian Kim Hyung Chil
also cast a shadow over the Games. The 47-year-old Kim died in the
equestrian cross-country competition after he was crushed by his
horse while trying to jump over a fence.
More than 10,000 athletes were competing across the 39 sports,
and 38 out of the 45 participating countries and regions won at
least a medal of any color. World records were broken in three of
weightlifting's 15 divisions.
The Games was notable for Iraq making its first appearance at
the continent's sporting extravaganza since 1986. The war-torn
country won three medals, two silver and a bronze.
(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2006)
