Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony: Chinese technology, culture glow at Big Lotus
The 19th Asian Games were officially opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Indian athletes featured in the Parade of Nations.
The Asian Games 2023 officially kicked off with an eye-catching opening ceremony at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in the People’s Republic of China on Sunday.
The 19th Asian Games, delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were officially opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A breathtaking performance, titled Water in Autumn Glow, kicked off the festivities at the Big Lotus. The show, which brought together the old and the new, was an ode to the host nation’s rich cultural heritage and forward-looking nature.
The official flag hoisting ceremony followed. Chenchen, Congcong and Lianlian - the official mascots of the Asian Games 2023 were presented. Showcasing the Olympic spirit, peace and friendship, the trio invited the world to the Hangzhou 2023 Games.
The Parade of Nations involving 45 countries started with Afghanistan. The athletes walked out in front of a roaring crowd at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium.
India’s contingent was led by flag-bearers Harmanpreet Singh and Lovlina Borgohain. Dressed in traditional Indian attire, the Indian athletes brought their own flavour to Hangzhou 2023.
A total of 655 Indian athletes will be in action in 39 sports at the continental meet.
Host nation China, which will be fielding 887 athletes, were the last contingent to arrive in the Parade of Nations. They walked out to the loudest cheer of the evening and a special background score.
Randhir Singh, the acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia, and Asian Games 2023 president Wang Hao addressed the crowd which was followed by the official Games opening announcement and the flag-hoisting ceremony of the Olympic Council of Asia.
Multiple captivating performances displaying various elements of Chinese culture came to the fore. Then, a panoramic digital display of the Hangzhou mascot trio displayed the sports which will be a part of the continental meet.
Flags of all participating nations took centrestage to mark the penultimate performance of the evening.
The Asian Games 2023 torch, carried by China’s Olympic champions, along with millions of online torch-bearers digitally lit a virtual torch on the Qiantang River to bring the ceremony to a close.