Asian Games 2023: Hangzhou wraps up Games with spectacular Closing Ceremony, Aichi-Nagoya shows off plans for 2026
The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou closed with a stunning farewell as Japan took the OCA flag for the 20th Games in 2026.
It's over. After 15 ferocious competition days, the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou came to an end with a brilliant Closing Ceremony at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium and light show along the Qiantangjiang River right by the "Big Lotus" stadium.
In line with the Games' stated aim of being sustainable and green, no fireworks were used. Instead, augmented reality played a major role in the ceremony, with letters spelling the word "Asia" appearing out of the river and falling into the stadium as river tides.
Hangzhou's city flower, the osmanthus, played a significant role in the ceremony, being a running theme in multiple segments.
The acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Raja Randhir Singh, then declared the Games closed and the OCA flag was passed from Hangzhou to Aichi and Nagoya, the host of the next Asian Games, in 2026.
Japan will host the 20th edition of the Games from 19 September to 4 October 2026. Aichi-Nagoya presented a segment looking three years ahead, before the Hangzhou Asian Games cauldron was extinguished and floats representing Hangzhou and the five other co-host cities paraded in the finale.