The 19th Asian Games, due to be held in Hangzhou in September, have been postponed to 2023 due to rising COVID-19 cases in China, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced on Friday. The new dates have yet to be confirmed.
“The Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee has been very well prepared to deliver the Games on time despite global challenges. However, the above decision was taken by all the stakeholders after carefully considering the pandemic situation and the size of the Games,” the OCA said in a statement.
Hong Kong’s sports sector lawmaker, Kenneth Fok, said it’s a pity that the Asian Games have been postponed, pointing out that athletes have been training for years for the games, “Hopefully, a new schedule can be announced soon so they can re-arrange their training.”
Image: Asian Games