Harbin, China – The flame for the 2025 Asian Winter Games was ignited on Monday at the picturesque Sun Island Scenic Area in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. With just 18 days remaining until the opening ceremony, the city embraced the spirit of winter sports in a spectacular display.
Despite temperatures plummeting to as low as minus 16 degrees Celsius in Harbin, the flame was successfully lit using a convex lens, creating a mesmerizing fusion of ice and fire. The lighting ceremony highlighted the radiant energy and passion that winter sports embody, symbolizing the perseverance and enthusiasm that athletes bring to the Games.
The ice embedded within the Olympic Council of Asia’s logo concentrated sunlight to ignite the torch, which features the design theme “Surging.” This design symbolizes the vitality and enthusiasm of the Games, expressing a heartfelt welcome to athletes from across Asia and honoring the friendships forged through competition.
The torch relay will continue until February 6, traversing various regions and sharing the excitement of the upcoming Games. An online torch relay is also underway, allowing people worldwide to participate virtually in this monumental event.
Harbin is set to host the Asian Winter Games from February 7 to 14, featuring six sports, 11 disciplines, and 64 events. A record-breaking 1,275 athletes from 34 nations and regions have registered for Harbin 2025, including first-time participants Cambodia and Saudi Arabia. The event is poised to be the most attended in the history of the Asian winter sports showcase.
As the host nation, China will have a strong presence with over 170 athletes competing. The Games promise to be a celebration of athletic excellence, cultural exchange, and the unifying power of sports across the Asian continent.
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Flame for 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games lit at Sun Island Scenic Area
cgtn.com
