OCA chief gives thumbs up to Guangzhou

GUANGZHOU - The 16th edition of the Asian Games would go down in history as “one of the best ever”, Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah said Saturday.

The Asian Games this year were unprecedented both in size and scale in the 59-year-old history of the quadrennial event. More than 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions have participated in a record 42 sports ranging from archery to chess.

On the last day of the two-week-long competition, Sheikh Ahmad said that the OCA was satisfied with the organisers’ work.

“The city of Guangzhou has done a very great job for the Asian Olympic Movement and for the Asian Olympic family,” he said.

“It was one of the best ever (edition) in the history of Asian Olympic Movement,” he told a press conference held at the Main Press Center.

When asked to compare the Guangzhou Games with previous editions, the OCA chief was quick to note that each games have their own features.

“Our target is to make the Asian Games better, and this is our job,” said Sheikh Ahmad.

“Each Games have different aims, have different situations,” Sheikh Ahmad said.

As of Friday, three world records fell in archery and weightlifting, and 12 Asian records were broken in swimming and cycling. In the meantime, 36 countries and regions have won medals. More than 1,400 dope tests have been carried out, and only two returned positive results, Xinhua reported.

“I am very happy with all the results we have achieved here,” said Sheikh Ahmad.