The Harbin Asian Winter Games have been acclaimed as a benchmark for major multi-sport events in Asia, according to officials from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Husain Al Musallam, director general of the OCA, highlighted the remarkable success of the Winter Asiad as the Games draw to a close on Friday night. \"Our athletes enjoy competing here and wish to come back to Harbin. The rest of the world came here and witnessed how Harbin managed to organize such a big event in 18 months with not only successful facilities but also the details for everybody,\" he stated.
Al Musallam also praised the advanced medical services provided in Harbin, remarking, \"I've attended all the Asian Games since 1982, and I've also attended all the world championships in Asia. I've never seen such advanced technology with the medical services.\"
Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, first vice president of the OCA, noted that the Harbin Winter Asiad featured record-breaking participation, with over 1,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions. The event marked the Asian Winter Games debuts of Saudi Arabia and Cambodia, further highlighting its expanding reach.
During China’s eight-day Spring Festival holiday, Harbin attracted more than 12 million visitors, reflecting a 20.4-percent year-on-year increase. Zhang Haihua, deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee and vice mayor of Harbin, emphasized the city’s hospitality by stating, \"Free mobile charging stations, ginger tea and hot water services were available throughout the venues, showcasing Harbin's hospitality.\"
Looking ahead, Zhang discussed the post-Games utilization of the facilities and the city’s plans to leverage the Asiad legacy. \"We are encouraging venues to adopt flexible management models and improve digital services. The city will also host sports events in tourist resorts and commercial areas to expand the coverage of winter sports,\" he added.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
