Guangzhou 'shows off' as Asian Games host

• Source: Global Times
• [21:15 November 10 2009]
• Comments

A year from now and billions of eyes will focus on Asian Games host Guangzhou, and the booming South Chinese metropolis is planning to put on a show that attracts global recognition.

Three years ago Qatar staged what was widely seen as the best Asian Games ever and the Chinese organizers of the massive sporting spectacle, from November 12 to 27 next year, want to go one better.

But they insist they are being fiscally responsible given the global economic crisis, and do not want to be compared to the hugely successful, and expensive, Beijing Olympics.

"In the wake of the Beijing Olympic Games, the public expectation for the Guangzhou Asian Games is higher, which poses a challenge," the city's vice mayor and executive deputy secretary general of the Guangzhou Organizing Committee Xu Ruisheng told the press.

"However, the Beijing Olympics may culminate in 'sports fatigue syndrome' among the public, so we need to differentiate the Asian Games from Beijing 2008 to arouse the public's interest."

Winning the right to host the Asian Games, the second largest sports event in the world after the Olympics, has changed the landscape of this city, with massive construction under way.

Seventy venues and training centres will be used – some are being renovated and upgraded but 12 are being built from scratch. And Guangzhou is ahead of schedule and on track to turn itself into an international metropolis.

To make access to venues as smooth as possible, the city, which is plagued by chronic traffic jams, is building nine new subway lines, with 80 percent of the stadiums served by trains.

It is all part of a massive investment into Guangzhou, which officials hope will keep the economy ticking along and leave a lasting legacy for the capital of Guangdong Province.

"The Guangzhou Asian Games will help drive the development of Guangzhou and it will bring new opportunities and inject new vigor into China's economy," said Xu.

It's estimated that the city has invested 200 billion yuan ($29 billion) for the Asian Games and dozens of major projects are under way, including a new train terminal, fast-lane highways and an overhaul of the city's water treatment system.

Other facilities include a library, an historical museum, a ballet theater, a sculpture garden and exhibition centers.

One of the biggest developments is the $1.7 billion Asian Games Town, which will house the main press center and broadcast center, and accommodate an estimated 12,000 athletes and officials and 10,000 media members.

Agencies