As the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 is approaching, the preparations for the event have come to the final and decisive stage. On the morning of 5th March, the “Decisive Battle in 2021” mobilization conference for tackling difficulties in hosting the Asian Games was held at Zhejiang Great Hall of the People. Questions of people's concern, such as the ways of torch lighting and relay, preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies, volunteer recruitment and ticketing have all been answered.

42 Competition Venues to Be Completed by the End of This March and Ticketing for the Asian Games to Start This October

With the constant advance of the construction of venues for the Asian Games, competition venues newly built and renovated have taken on a new look. Some of them have even entered the stage of lighting at night. The fabulous night view lead to people's great admiration.

Night view of Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center   Photo by Sun Xinjian

Progress of venue construction for the Asian Games has been the focus of the conference. “Of the 56 venues, 42 will be completed by the end of March, 11 for the Asian Games and 2 for the Asian Para Games will be completed by the end of October, and the remaining 1 will be accepted and delivered by the end of December together with the Asian Games Village and 4 sub-villages”, as our reporter learned from the conference.

Dragon Sports Center Stadium   Photo by LI Zhong

The project for renovation of 33 training venues will all begin this year and be delivered next May. This year will also see the test program for 10 events at the Asian Games and 5 events at the Asian Para Games.

Comprehensive training center of Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center   Photo by Qiao Xing

It won't be long before Hangzhou citizens see the magnificent venues for the Asian Games taking on a new look themselves.

The main ticket operator was announced by Hangzhou Asian Games in October 2020. According to the arrangement, online ticket sales channel for the Asian Games is expected to be launched in 2021.

People who care about the Asian Games are all asking these questions: When will the tickets go on sale? What's the price and is it difficult to snap them up? These questions have all been answered specifically at the conference: Ticket sales will begin this October. If you are interested, please do remember to set your alarm clock for grabbing tickets in advance since tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies, popular competitions and competition sessions always enjoy good sale, based on ticket sales for past large-scale multi-sports events.

Hangzhou Elements of the West Lake, Liangzhu and the Grand Canal Incorporated in Torch Lighting and Relay

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic torches “Flying” debuted not long ago at a ceremony marking the start of the one-year countdown to the opening of the Games and drew unanimous critical acclaim and praise. Some netizen commented: “The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic torches are pretty and smart. I’m quite looking forward to those for Hangzhou Asian Games!”

Mascots at Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City   Photo by Zhang Yunru

Torches for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 are to be unveiled in 2021. According to CHEN Weiqiang, deputy secretary-general of the Organizing Committee & deputy mayor of Hangzhou, three elements of the World Heritage including the West Lake, Liangzhu and the Grand Canal will be incorporated into the Asian Games torch lighting and relay, with relevant plan to be determined; Meanwhile, the director and chief creative team for the opening and closing ceremonies of Hangzhou Asian Games will also be selected.

To arouse the enthusiasm of people from all walks of life to pay attention to, support and participate in the Asian Games, Hangzhou will hold the“Asian Games and Hangzhou” arts festival, reinforce its efforts on music works collection and promotion as well as organization of Hangzhou Asian Games short video competition, and start volunteer recruitment this year.