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2006 Asian Games

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The 15th Asian Games, officially known as the XV Asiad, is Asia's Olympic-style sporting event that is being held in Doha, Qatar from December 1 to December 15, 2006. Doha will be the first city in its region and only the second in West Asia after Tehran in 1974 to host the games. There are 46 disciplines from 39 events scheduled to be contested.

Bidding process

On November 12, 2000, the voting took place in Busan, South Korea, which was the venue for the 2002 Asian Games. The voting involved the 41 members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and consisted of three rounds, each round eliminating one of the bidding cities. [1] After the first round, New Delhi of India was eliminated with only 2 votes. The second round of voting, with three remaining candidates, gave a surprise result.

  1.   Doha: 22
  2.   Kuala Lumpur: 13
  3.   Hong Kong: 6

Under the regulations of the OCA, a candidate which gains half of the available votes will automatically be selected as the host, and the remaining rounds of voting will be cancelled. When Doha gained 22 out of 41 votes this meant they were selected to host the 2006 Asian Games. Most of Qatar's votes came from the unanimous support from West Asian countries. [2]

After the major upset, Malaysia and Hong Kong, China expressed their disappointment. Malaysia said that the selection of Doha was ridiculous[1] and that the selection of Doha was influenced by Qatar's background as a wealthy country.[3]

Torch relay

The torch relay has been integral to the Asian Games since 1958. The plans for the Doha 2006 torch relay were revealed by the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC) on January 20, 2006. [4]

The relay itself started on October 8, 2006 with a brief ceremony at the Doha Golf Club named "Flame of Hospitality". [5] With the involvement of over 3000 people, the torch is crossing 8 former Asian Games host countries and 4 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States. [4] The first pit stop was in New Delhi, India on October 11, 2006. In total the relay will pass over 15 countries [6] and 23 cities [7] all over Asia. The relay, which has a distance of 50,000 kilometres in 55 days is the longest relay in the history of the Asian Games.[4]

 
Torch Relay Route

Below is a list of places visited by the torch[6]:

  1.   India – New Delhi
  2.   Korea – Busan
  3.   Philippines – Manila
  4.   Japan – Hiroshima
  5.   China – Beijing, Guangzhou
  6.   Macau, China
  7.   Hong Kong, China
  8.   Indonesia – Jakarta
  9.   Thailand – Bangkok
  10.   Iran – Mashad, Esfahan, Tehran
  11.   Oman – Salalah, Muscat, Sohar
  12.   United Arab Emirates – Hatta, Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi
  13.   Kuwait – Kuwait City
  14.   Bahrain – Manama

The torch travelled back to Doha, Qatar and the journey around the city itself started on November 25, 2006 and lasted until the opening ceremony of the Games.

Spirit of The Game

An athlete in motion is the inspiration for the logo of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 - a sportsperson facing up to the challenges and obstacles in a fearless manner.

The colours used in the logo are especially relevant to the state of Qatar: yellow for the crescent-shaped sand dunes of the desert, blue for the calm sea of the Gulf and red for the sun and warm spirit of Asia.

Mascot

File:Orry asian games 2006.jpg
"Orry", Official mascot of the 15th Asian Games

The Doha Asian Games Organising Committee chose "Orry", a Qatari Oryx, as the official mascot of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006. The Oryx had once become extinct in the wild, but thanks to preservation and conservation groups it has recently been reintroduced. The choice of Orry also sends a message of peace, commitment and fun at the Games. [8]

Medal

In the spirit of the Games, aspects of the Old and New have been incorporated into the design of the official medals for the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

On the front of the medal, Orry, the official Games mascot, runs in front of Zubara Fort, an important cultural landmark in Doha city. He is carrying the Doha 2006 Torch.

On the reverse, the Doha 2006 logo is set against a blazing Asian sun. A traditional Qatari pattern is embroidered into the burgundy ribbon, which will be attached to the medal.

Torch

The Torch design for the Doha 2006 Torch Relay is modest, elegant and light in design. Inspiration for the Torch was drawn from the curvaceous horns of the Arabian Oryx, the endangered national animal which also inspired Orry, the official Games mascot and the colours of the Qatari flag.

It symbolises the unifying spirit of competition and friendship throughout Asia.

The emblem of the 15th Asian Games appears on the top of the Torch, with the Olympic Council of Asia's sun icon embossed on the maroon middle section. The Asian sun is also engraved on the top of the Torch so that the Flame represents its core.

The Torch was designed by the Creative & Visual Profile Team of Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC).

The Doha 2006 Torch is a unifying source that sums up the ever-burning desire to merge and light anew the spirit of competition and friendship through Asia.

Opening ceremony

Main article: 2006 Asian Games Opening Ceremony
File:Fireworks doha 2006 asiad.jpg
Fireworks display at the opening ceremony of the 15th Asian Games at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha

The Opening Ceremony of the Games was described by the media to be one of the most technologically spectacular multi-sports event ceremony.[9] It was viewed by 50,000 spectators in the Khalifa International Stadium, and famous guests like the IOC's Jacques Rogge, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Syrian President Bashar Assad. [10] This opening ceremony was directed by David Atkins, who conducted the Sydney 2000 opener.[11]

The ceremony started with the welcome of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with the OCA chairman Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and his wife. After that, a 10 second countdown began to signal the starting of the opening ceremony. The message "Peace Be Upon You" from a group of 2,300 young people with the Islamic greeting written in Arabic "Al Salamo Alaikom" after the countdown. A group of children, lead by Nasser Khaled Al Kubaisi, then sang Qatar's national anthem and raised the national flag.

File:2006 Asian Games Torch.JPG
The torch tower just outside the Khalifa Stadium

The first part of the show, called "The Journey Begins", tells about a young man called the "Seeker" leaving his family, and Nura, his love and beginning his discovery of Asia, guided only by the stars and his astrolabe. After encountering a fierce storm at sea, he was rescued by a giant falcon, landing him on safe ground where he continued his path to discovering the colourful history and cultures of Asia. The Angkor Wat, the Taj Mahal, the Temple of Heaven and Borobudur were among the important landmarks he passed. The Seeker was also treated to a multicultural presentation that displayed the cultures of different Asian regions, as well as the old empires that once ruled over most of Asia. Nura, on the other hand, descended into the stadium with a very large piece of cloth trailing her, covering the entire eastern stands, and sang in Arabic, "Atone, Atone Oh Sea!" as she despairs, waiting for the arrival of her love. With his Asian brothers helping him in his way back to his homeland, the Seeker safely made it back to Nura, and invited all of Asia to celebrate their wedding.

The latter part of the cultural programme focused on the Seeker showing his son the Arab world's contributions to modern science in the past, the present and the future. Sixty-four horsemen also entered the stadium in the segment 'Tribute to the Desert Horseman.'

Delegates from the 45 countries and regions of Asia entered the stadium after the cultural section of the programme. This was the third major sports event since the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics that North Korea and South Korea jointly entered the stadium under one flag. Performances from Hong Kong's Jacky Cheung, who sang "Together We Can", as well as India's Bollywood star Sunidhi Chauhan who sang "Reach Out" were a tribute to the athletes. Lebanon's Magida El Roumi and Spanish tenor José Carreras performed "Light The Way".

The most dramatic moment was when Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani rode his horse up the stairs to the top of the stadium to light up the giant cauldron in the form of a giant astrolabe. Here the stadium large screen acted as When the flame was successfully transferred electronically to the Aspire Tower just outside the stadium, fireworks went off, signalling the start of the 2006 Asian Games.

Closing ceremony

A special 10 minutes in the final part of the closing ceremony will show a new China, the 2010 Asian Games host. The part known as "Oriental Charm", will feature the Chinese culture, (including opera, painting and wushu), the dynamic spirit and the Guangzhou background and express the hospitality of Chinese people to the world.[12]

Criticism

Despite the spectacular opening ceremony, which received high praise, there was some criticism by some delegations and athletes. Heavy rain poured down just after the end of opening ceremony, and many believed that the organisers did not have plans to deal with it, creating a chaotic situation. Chef de Mission of the Philippines, Butch Ramirez, said that some of the members of the Philippine delegation, including athletes, were soaked in the rain because the organising officials did not allow them to re-enter the covered stadium for shelter; instead they had to stay in the heavy rain for more than 30 minutes. He goes on to say that the breakdown in transportation protocols due to the rain caused the athletes to rush to the nearest bus station, exposing them to rain. Ramirez said that he himself was a victim of pushing and shoving due to this chaos, and that because of it, he suffered from an asthma attack. [13]

Malaysian athletes also expressed unhappiness. According to the athletes, the organising officials allowed only the Qatari team to exit the stadium and held back the other 44 nations inside. Also, the disarrangement of transportation queues meant that they had to wait in the wet and tiring conditions till 2 a.m., when they were finally sent to the Athletes' Village. [14]

A Japanese journalist said while a few buses and bus stops were prepared around the stadium, the organisers also didn't install shelters to protect people waiting in these stations. [15] To be fair, it only rained twice in the two years since planning for the ceremony had begun, and the heavy storm during the actual opening ceremony is rare by Qatari standards. [citation needed]

As of this writing, there has been some confusion concerning the many volunteers working the games; as in many not showing up to their assignments, too many showing up at events or locations where they are not needed, and some complaining that they were being made to do work other than what they previously agreed to do, as in female VIP hostesses being told to go pick up trash outside on the streets. Many volunteers have been complaining about the lack of transportation needed to take them to their locations, as most are guest workers and have no privately owned vehicles. They are authorised free use of taxis, but they are saying the taxis are not stopping for them, despite the fact that they have been given vouchers by organisers. After a volunteer briefing/Opening Ceremony rehearsal at Khalifa Stadium one night in mid-November, hundreds of volunteers were stranded as they were unable to find transportation back into the city, most having to walk back and not getting to their homes until late at night. Sources say there were only so many buses, which were quickly filled, and despite being told the buses would return, they didn't.

According to one IOC insider who arrived back at his hotel soaked, this incident could hurt the chances of Doha hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics, which they are likely to bid for. Indeed, transportation is one of the crucial factors involved in the decision process. [16]

Tragedy

 
Kim Hyung Chil and Bundaberg Black prior to the accident.

Tragedy struck the Asian Games when Korean equestrian athlete Kim Hyung-chil died after falling off his horse on the morning of December 7 during the cross country competition which took place in the rain. [17] The accident occurred at jump number eight [18] [19] during the cross-country stage of the three-day eventing competition. After the horse, named Bundaberg Black, rolled over him, [20] he was taken to the hospital, with his death later confirmed by the organizing committee. [21] Kim died shortly before noon local Qatar time [22] (6 pm South Korea time).

According to South Korea National Olympic Committee president Kim Jung Kil, sources on the course said that the horse mistimed his jump in the wet conditions and slipped. South Korean officials are asking for an inquiry to determine if mismanagement or rain was the cause of the tragedy. [23]

"In my professional opinion, neither the weather nor the footing had any bearing on this accident. If the horse falls, it's like two tons of bricks falling on you. There is nothing you can do about it," said Andy Griffiths, the Games event's technical overseer.[24]

Kim's father was an equestrian athlete for Korea in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the younger Kim won a silver medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan on the same horse. [25]

This is the eighth death linked to the 2006 Asian Games, and the first involving an athlete. [26]

Sports

The sport events to be contested at the 2006 Asian Games are listed below. Officially there are 46 disciplines from 39 sports in contention. All events listed will start after the opening ceremony except Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Football (Soccer), Table tennis, and Volleyball, which will start before the opening ceremony.

Click on each sport for detailed schedules and results.

Participating NOCs

Named and arranged after their IOC designations, all 45 OCA members are participating in the Games. The number in parentheses indicates the number of participants that the NOC contributed.

Template:Fnb Chinese Taipei is the official IOC designation for the state officially referred to as the Republic of China, more commonly known as Taiwan.

Medal tally

As of 7:15, 13 December 2006 (UTC +8)

Refresh this page to get the latest results.

Venues

File:Doha asian2006.jpg
Venues of the 2006 Asian Games

Asian Games problems

Doping

The list of athletes which failed the doping test during the Games, and all came from weightlifting:

  • Myammar's Than Kyi Kyi, the 48 kilograms weightlifter, tested positive for banned diuretic.
  • Uzbekistan's Elmira Ramileva, the 69 kilograms weightlifter, tested positive for anabolic steroid.
  • Alexander Urinov, also Uzbekistan, the 105 kilograms weightlifter, tested positive for cannabis.
  • Myammar's Oo Mya Sanda, silver medalist for 75 kilograms weightlifting, was tested positive for metabolite.
  • Iraq's Saad Faeaz, a bodybuider, disqualified from the Games after the banned steroid was founded in his luggage in Doha International Airport.

Last minute withdrawals

The Football competition lost three teams due to withdrawals and a suspension, which resulted in some rescheduling of the format and draws. Following the withdrawal of Maldives women's football team in early November, the women's football competition was forced to redraw to ensure both groups had an equal number of teams. [27] Not much later, Turkmenistan announced their withdrawal due to the lack of options available in Qatar. [28] Yemen also withdrew because the team was unable to afford a drug test after some of their players were accused of doping. [29]

For India, they are the only country to make big changes to its team close to the opening ceremonies. On November 22, 2006, the Indian sports ministry shocked the Games organisers by dropping 8 of the 32 events they had previously announced that they would be contesting in the Games. The dropped events are football, basketball, handball, sepak takraw, triathlon, ten-pin bowling and rugby 7s. The events were dropped due to the lack of medal hopes and to cut costs. As a result, only 387 athletes will be sent to Doha instead of the original 589 proposed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). [30]

Some of the teams in the dropped events are expected to compete despite the removal of government support; the Indian football team has confirmed that they will participate under a "no cost to the government basis", as they did during the 1998 and 2002 Games.[31] The manager of the football team has insisted that the team will participate even without government approval.[32]

The Indian basketball team is definitely out of the games; the men's team failed to show for their match against Bahrain in the first preliminary round and the match was forfeited by the referee. The women's team is also likely to miss the Games.[33]

The IOA has requested to reinstate the sepak takraw and fencing teams, and the request has been accepted by DAGOC. The IOA also attempt to fund the other teams defunded by the government.[34]

While volleyball also had three teams withdrew from the Games, Palestine withdrew due to the travelling difficulties caused by the closure of the Gaza Strip border. Indonesia and Turkmenistan have withdrawn from the tournament, for unknown reasons, just hours before their first preliminary round match. [35]

Suspension

Few competitive teams under the sanctions by sports organisations and unable to take part. This include:

The Philippines national basketball team, winners of four gold medals in previous Games, will not be participating in the basketball competition due to their suspension by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The political interference and conflict between the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is the cause of the suspension.[36] FIBA will only agree to lift the suspension if the two organisations agree to work together.[37] While the suspension remains, the team is not allowed to participate in any FIBA-sanctioned events.

India will not take part in the weightlifting events after the government failed to pay a USD$50,000 fine to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to lift their suspension. The IWF suspended India's weightlifting team from any sports events after they failed doping tests during the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. The suspension could be extended to 2008 if India will not pay their fine.[38]

Broadcasting

The 2006 Asian Games broadcasted worldwide by several television broadcasters. Confirmed broadcasters include:

References

  1. ^ a b MALAYSIA AMAZED AT LOSING ASIAN GAMES TO QATAR
  2. ^ People's Daily
  3. ^ Choice of Qatar for Asian Games prompts cries of foul
  4. ^ a b c Doha Asian Games torch relay route revealed
  5. ^ Torch ceremony marks countdown to Games
  6. ^ a b Relay Route
  7. ^ "King of the Mile" Hicham El Guerrouj to Carry the Flame
  8. ^ Mascot of Asian Games 2006
  9. ^ Doha Asiad off to spectacular start
  10. ^ Media fascinated by high-tech at Doha Asiad opening ceremony
  11. ^ Asian Games open with a festival celebrating the Gulf
  12. ^ Chinese culture to take spot at closing ceremony of Doha Asiad
  13. ^ Rains spoil ‘best’ opening ceremony
  14. ^ But the Malaysians end up wet and unhappy
  15. ^ Transport woes open for Asiad
  16. ^ Rain Could Dampen Qatar’s 2016 Bid
  17. ^ DAGOC mourns rider after fatal fall
  18. ^ Asian Games: S. Korean rider dies after equestrian accident
  19. ^ South Korean rider dies in jump fall
  20. ^ South Korean rider dies in jump fall
  21. ^ Asian Games roundup: Equestrian rider's death overshadows competition
  22. ^ Tragedy strikes Games
  23. ^ Koreans demand probe into death fall
  24. ^ Asia Games death 'tragic accident'
  25. ^ South Korean rider dies in jump fall
  26. ^ Equestrian rider dies at Asian Games
  27. ^ Men’s and women’s football draw held
  28. ^ Turkmenistan soccer team withdraws from Asian Games
  29. ^ Yemen withdrew following doping concerns - AFC
  30. ^ Govt cuts jumbo Asian Games squad
  31. ^ It's official, footballers will have a ball
  32. ^ We will participate in Asian Games, insists India manager
  33. ^ Basketballers barred from Doha by own govt
  34. ^ India returns to compete in sepaktakraw, fencing in Asian games
  35. ^ Palestine quits men's volleyball event at Doha Asia
  36. ^ The politicization of Philippine basketball
  37. ^ Fiba defers lifting of RP ban
  38. ^ India's weightlifters can't pay, won't play at Asiad
  39. ^ THE ASIAN GAMES LIVE ON EUROSPORT


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