Guangzhou: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief has hailed the emergence of Asia in sports with China firmly at the forefront.
"There are three distinct identities that determine this emergence and these are on display at Guangzhou at the moment," IOC President Jacques Rogge told the media at the 16th Asian Games here.
"The first identity lies in China, its dominance as a world sports power and they have shown this during the opening ceremony," Rogge said. The second point lies in a collective identity of Asia with China taking the lead in showing to the world that it is successful and capable of being at the forefront in all spheres including sports, he explained. "And the third, and perhaps the most important one is the legacy that these Asian Games will leave behind for Guangzhou and China and its people," Rogge added. Guangzhou baffled the world with a riot of colours, sights and sounds at Friday's opening with the use of an open stadium as the viewing gallery and the majestic Pearl River as the stage. "I was dazzled with what I saw on Friday," Rogge admitted.
Tough scale
"This was by far the best opening ceremony I have been to and it will be a tough scale to pass by in the future," he added.
"The three identities that I have mentioned before will combine and complement each other as China keeps growing as the true leader in the field of sports," Rogge hoped. The IOC chief was all praise for the local organisers who have not left anything to chance in staging perhaps the best Asian Games so far. "Off the field China has produced results consistently and China's performances on the field have been tremendous starting with the 2008 Beijing Games. And they will do even better at these Asian Games," he added.
