OCA Confident Asian Games to go ahead in September

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OCA Confident Asian Games to go ahead in September
26 Apr 2022
min read

News Synopsis

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has asked for the latest information on the status of COVID-19 in China but is confident that the Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou in September.

The 19th edition of the multi-sports Games will be held from September 10-25 in the capital of Zhejiang Province, about 175 kilometers southwest of Shanghai.

In a media report last week, the OCA secretary said the game may need to be postponed due to a month-long lockdown of COVID-19 in China's financial capital. A senior official, speaking under condition of anonymity, said that the OCA had been in contact with Chinese officials but there was as of now no concern about cancellation or postponement.

Most international sporting events in China have been postponed or canceled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the exception of the Winter Olympics held in Beijing in February under strict health care.

The OCA official has said the panel is confident in the fact that it expects the Winter Olympics to end successfully and a similar biosecurity check to take place at the Asian Games.

Hangzhou organizers are continuing test events in early April, with all 56 venues for the tournament completed and lakeside cities preparing to welcome more than 11,000 athletes from 44 countries and territories. The Tokyo Summer Olympics were postponed to 2021 because of the impact of the early stages of the global health crisis.

TWN In-Focus