In light of the huge success of the Beijing Olympic Games, the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) has pledged to hold a "best-ever" sports gala in Asian Games history.
"Preparation for the 2010 Asian Games, which is the second-biggest sports event to the Olympic Games, is well on the way," said Li Naizhen, deputy director of the GAGOC Competition Department.
For example, GAGOC launched a design competition on for secondary marks, a pictogram and core graphic for the upcoming games in Guangzhou.
"Beijing has done well in this regard during the Olympic Games. People from all walks of life in the world have been deeply impressed by the secondary marks, pictogram and core graphic for the games," said Gu Shiyang, deputy general secretary of GAGOC.
Different from the emblem and mascot, secondary marks, pictogram and core graphic will be used in the decoration of sports venues, promotion of volunteer and cultural events and in indicating all the sport events that are included in the Asian Games.
"They are of great importance to the promotion of the games and the city's image as well," Gu said.
Also, work on recruiting volunteers for the games has started. And GAGOC will train up to 2,010 volunteers that are very qualified to serve the games before its opening.
According to Gu, construction of all infrastructures, including the Asian Games Village and new sports venues, have already started.
Meanwhile, Li Naizhen said that the GAGOC will attach great importance to showcasing of diverse Asian cultures and new sport events that were not included in the Beijing Olympic Games.
According to Li, there would be a total of 42 sport events for the upcoming Asian Games, of which 14 are non-Olympic events and five are included, for the first time, in the Asian Games.
"The five new events, including dragon boat racing, have a long history and they are typically popular in Asia, representing a diverse culture in the region," Li said.
According to Li, there will be an estimated 14,000 athletes and team officials, 6,500 international sports federation officials, 10,000 local and overseas media staff and more than 2,000 members of the Olympic Council of Asia, attending the upcoming games.
"We will showcase the rich culture of South China, or Lingnan, to the world at the opening and closing ceremonies," Li said.
(Source: GAGOC)
