..just to start off.. http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100922/377/tsp-china-s-asian-games-town-ready-ahead.html ================================================================ China's Asian Games Town ready ahead of time Wed, Sep 22 01:37 PM Beijing, Sep 22 (IANS) As India works feverishly to prepare for the Commonwealth Games that begin Oct 3, Asian Games Town with 8,000 apartments in China's Guangzhou city is complete and has been handed over to the organising committee nearly two months ahead of the sporting event. Asian Games Town, which took more than two years to construct, has been formally handed over to the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, China Daily reported Wednesday. The town is ready to accommodate an estimated 40,000 athletes, coaches, technical officials and members of the media from around the world. It has been built on the banks of Pearl River tributaries and is spread over 2.73 sq km. The 16th Asian Games are from Nov 12 to 27. Besides an athletes' village with 13 apartment buildings, the town has a media village, technical officials' village, international broadcast center and a main press center. Xu Ruisheng, vice-mayor of Guangzhou and executive deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee, said: 'The coming Asian Games will serve as a showcase for China's Lingnan culture that thrives in Guangdong and other parts of south China.' Yuko Arakida, a former Japanese Olympian, heaped praise on the Games Town after she visited it. 'I think the facilities for the athletes at the Asian Games are much better than at the Beijing Summer Olympic Games. There is lots of green and it is a very good environment for the athletes,' Arakida was quoted as saying. An Asian Games traffic lane has also been earmarked to reduce travel time to competition and training venues during the Games. The town has been aesthetically developed with riverside communities and tropical trees giving it an ambience typical of south China. Over 63 percent of the town has been covered in greenery and tropical trees and fruit plants are now being planted. Tang Ruping, director of committee's service department, said: 'The Guangzhou Asian Games will make every guest feel at home with the best service and the most hospitable reception.' The Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi Oct 3-14 has come in for criticism for lack of preparedness. Hygiene issues have dogged the Games Village which is to house the athletes.
..preparing like they will really need it.. http://english.sina.com/china/p/2010/0922/340705.html ========================================== Policemen train hard prior to the Asian Games 2010-09-22 08:45:28 GMT2010-09-22 16:45:28 (Beijing Time) Xinhua English Armed policemen take part in a physical training to strengthen their capability against terrorism prior to the forthcoming 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 31, 2010. The 16th Asian Games scheduled to held on Nov. 12. (Xinhua/Lu Jiandong) An armed policeman slides down ropes during a training which aimed to strengthen his capability against terrorism prior to the forthcoming 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 16, 2010. The 16th Asian Games scheduled to held on Nov. 12. (Xinhua/Lu Jiandong) Armed policemen capture a "hijacker" during a drill against terrorism prior to the forthcoming 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 17, 2010. The 16th Asian Games scheduled to held on Nov. 12. (Xinhua/Lu Jiandong) Armed policemen take part in a training to strengthen their capability against terrorism prior to the forthcoming 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 16, 2010. The 16th Asian Games scheduled to held on Nov. 12. (Xinhua/Lu Jiandong)
..and watch out for those high-flying martial-arts air marshalls.. http://www.gz2010.cn/10/1001/08/6HT81E9L0078002U.html ================================================ Air police prepare for Asiad security Updated:2010-10-01 08:39:15 Source: China Daily Air police of China Southern Airlines practise wrestling during a training session inside an airplane in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, Sept 27, 2010. Policemen and security staffers at China Southern Airlines enhanced training on Monday by adding such activities as wrestling, hand-to-hand fighting, anti-hijacking practices and explosive check-up for security and safety at the upcoming Guangzhou Asian Games. (Photo/Xinhua) Air police practice using explosive-detecting devices during a training session at the transportation base of China Southern Airlines in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, Sept 27, 2010. (Photo/Xinhua) Security staffers practice during a training session at the transportation base of China Southern Airlines in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, Sept 27, 2010. (Photo/Xinhua) Security staffers practice during a training session at the transportation base of China Southern Airlines in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, Sept 27, 2010. (Photo/Xinhua)
Pics of the medals.. ..they unveiled the medals at a victory ceremony trial run.. 2nd pic shows the front of the medals 3rd pic shows the back of the medals 4th pic shows the front and back of the Gold medal http://www.gz2010.cn/photoset/19ED0078/2644.html ========================================
Badminton venue : TianHe gymnasium.. ..for those who are wondering where will they hold the badminton event, yes, it will be in the same venue as the 2007 China Open SS, the TianHe Gymnasium, which was remodeled earlier this yr. One where our kwun (and a couple other BCers) attended and actually covered. See below threads for more pics: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/for...71-China-Open-2007-Random-news-from-the-arena. http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?50161-more-China-Open-2007-photos. http://www.badmintoncentral.com/for...a-Open-2007-November-with-never-seen-pictures http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?49832-2007-China-Open-Super-Series-Pictures (4th pic, testing the scoreboard; last pic, looks like the security control room)..(pics taken from several sources)..
Poor Form Gives Indonesia Little Hope for Gold at Asiad Ami Afriatni | October 20, 2010 Indonesian badminton has reached such a low point this year that many doubt the country’s chances to win gold in next month’s Asian Games. Officials from the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) say this is the national shuttlers’ worst season ever, having won only one Super Series title and gone empty-handed in the Thomas and Uber Cups in May and the world championships in August. ------------------------------------- PBSI secretary general Yacob Rusdianto said the association was concerned about the shuttlers’ preparation for the Asian Games, scheduled to run from Nov. 12-27. “People expect us to bring home a medal. But the buildup to next month’s Games hasn’t gone well as we had hoped for,” he said. “So yes, there’s a little concern.” Yacob said Taufik and men’s doubles pair Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan were capable of winning gold in Guangzhou. “Right now, we’re supporting our players as best we can by motivating them and giving them the time to heal their injuries so they can be prepared for the challenge ahead,” Yacob said. However, Chinese shuttlers, who have dominated the sport in recent years, are equally determined to sweep all five gold medals on offer at the Asian Games as they will be playing in front of hometown fans. Liliyana said playing against the Chinese would be daunting, but said she was hopeful that her Indonesian teammates would do their best. “There’s no question that we’ll give our 100 percent out on the court,” the former two-time world champion said. “Playing for our country — that’s always the ultimate motivation for us.” *Full article : http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/badm...ndonesia-little-hope-for-gold-at-asiad/402410
Saina, Sania eye Asian Games medals PTI, Oct 26, 2010, 09.24pm IST HYDERABAD: Commonwealth Games medal winners Saina Nehwal and Sania Mirza on Tuesday said they are leaving no stones unturned to prepare for the Asian Games and hope to do well in China next month. "We had a great Commonwealth Games. We are now preparing for the Asian Games and plan to win as many as many medals as possible again, bring laurels to India and Hyderabad as well," said Sania, who won silver in the tennis event of the Games. Sania, badminton star Saina and her mentor and chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, brand ambassadors of Andhra Pradesh Tourism, were felicitated by the department on their success in the CWG. ----------------------------------------- Read more: Saina, Sania eye Asian Games medals - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-medals/articleshow/6816809.cms#ixzz13Wf7xTdP
China names largest ever squad for Asian Games 09:32, October 27, 2010 Olympic champions Liu Xiang and Lin Dan will lead China's assault to win the most medals at the Asian Games for the eighth straight time as China unveiled on Tuesday a 1,454-member delegation, the largest ever in history, for next month's Asiad. A total of 35 Olympic gold medalists were included in the 1,454-member delegation for the 16th Asian Games which will take place in southern Chinese city of Guangzhou from November 12 to 27. About two thirds of the 977 athletes did not take part in the 2008 Olympics nor the Asian Games held four years ago in Doha, Qatar. "We hope to spot young talents at the Asian Games and prepare them for the 2012 London Olympics," said Duan Shijie, head of the Chinese delegation. ---------------------------------------------- Read completely : http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90779/90867/7178830.html
TianHe is the natural and excellent choice for the arena. I am sure a lot of local and foreign badminton fans will miss that stadium after they stopped hosting the China Open there. it is a spacious stadium which is great for the fans as Guangzhou is a badminton crazy city and the stadium will be packed to the roof from day one. i almost don't recognize it, they did a good job modernizing the interior.
yeah.. strong china squad.! China have 35 Olympic champions in their Asiad team BEIJING: Hosts China have named 35 Olympic champions to their team for next month’s Asian Games in Guangzhou – the biggest delegation the powerhouse has ever sent to an international sporting event. China will consist of 977 athletes and 477 coaches and team officials, the country’s sports administration has announced in the run-up to the Nov 12-27 Asiad in the southern city. Nearly 12,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions will compete for 476 gold medals in a record 42 sports at this year’s event. “We want our athletes to show their fighting spirit and sportsmanship at the Asian Games and maintain our leading position in the rankings,” delegation chief Duan Shijie said in a statement. “We consider the Asian Games an important part of our preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games.” Among the current and former Olympic champions competing are hurdler Liu Xiang (pic), table tennis ace Wang Liqin, badminton star Lin Dan and women’s trampolinist He Wenna. More that 250 of the Chinese athletes are veterans of the Beijing Olympics, while more than 650 will be participating in their first international sporting event, the sports administration said. Duan added that China will maintain a “zero tolerance” towards illegal doping and that efforts to maintain a clean squad are a top priority. China have dominated Asian sports for years. They topped the medals table at the 2006 Asiad in Doha, winning 165 gold and 316 overall medals. At the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, the last Asiad that China hosted, China dominated the field, winning a record 183 gold medals and 341 medals overall. — AFP http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2010/10/29/sports/7324020&sec=sports
Chetan to skip Asian Games M Ratnakar, TNN, Oct 30, 2010, 01.11am IST HYDERABAD: National champion and top ranked Indian in the world, Chetan Anand pulled out of the Asian Games. In an email to Badminton Association of India president VK Verma and chief coach Pullela Gopichand, Chetan, who was knocked out in the first round of the Denmark Super Series on Wednesday, expressed his inability to compete in the continental games. The World No. 20 wrote that he suffered a back injury during the Denmark Super Series and the doctor advised him to take rest for a week. -------------------------------- *Read more : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...n-to-skip-Asian-Games/articleshow/6838421.cms
World number one Lee pumped up for Asian Games AFP, Nov 8, 2010, 06.49am IST GUANGZHOU: Malaysian star shuttler Lee Chong Wei finds himself in the curious position of being badminton's world number one and yet not favourite to win gold at the Asian Games that start this week. That tag goes to the charismatic Lin Dan, touted by many as the best player ever but whose limited appearances in this year's Super Series means he is down in the world rankings. The Chinese, who at 27 is a year younger than Lee, is thought to be desperate to win in front of an adoring home crowd. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more: World number one Lee pumped up for Asian Games - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...n-Games/articleshow/6886559.cms#ixzz14f0UMl24
Guangzhou students to support Lin Dan "son-in-law" of Guangzhou ...... hope this will give extra motivation to Lin Dan http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2010-11/02/content_11489858.htm
When Stars Collide Lin Dan said : I always comfort myself by saying the Asian title is not included in the Grand Slams source ; http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2010asia/2010-11/07/content_11523421.htm
China set for Asian Games extravaganza by Robert Saiget – Wed Oct 27, 3:16 am ET BEIJING (AFP) – China's booming southern metropolis of Guangzhou is gearing up for next month's Asian Games -- the biggest sporting extravaganza the nation has seen since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After seven years of preparations, the city at the heart of China's economic miracle has reinvented itself for the November 12-27 spectacle and is hoping the event will help transform it into one of Asia's elite cities. The country's state media is stirring up excitement with regular updates on Team China, a day-by-day countdown on China Central Television and coverage of the nationwide Asiad torch relay. ----------------------------------------- Full article : http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101027/sp_wl_afp/asiad2010 *Like Beijing OG two years ago, China will repeat double success once again as host and top position at medal standing.
