The 19th Asian Games, or the Asiad, came to a conclusion on October 8 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in east China, bringing to an end the 16 days of intense competition. The giant digital torchbearer, a highlight of the September 23 opening ceremony that symbolized the millions of participants of a digital Asiad torch relay, made a return to extinguish the flame of the Asian Games cauldron.
Like its earlier counterpart, the closing ceremony was once a vibrant display, seamlessly blending technology with artistry. It saluted the athletes who had competed passionately, and celebrated the host city and the upcoming hosts Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture in Japan.
Raja Randhir Singh, Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, declared the whole event an “unprecedented success,” and said the council “would never forget” what a perfect host Hangzhou had been.
“The power of sport, the power of
