Hangzhou Asiad smashes expectations, setting a new standard for the continental sporting jamboree

Hailed as "one of the best ever", the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou has been highly praised.

"Technically, we have had one of the best Asian Games ever. The standard of the Games has been very, very high," said Vinod Kumar Tiwari, acting director general of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

"We have about 12,000 athletes participating in the Games. The number of officials and the technical officials is 4,975 and 4,700, respectively, and over 12,000 media personnel have attended. This by far has been the biggest and the largest Asian Games ever," Tiwari said.

Tiwari further pointed out that the coverage of the Games from TV and the written media is also among the highest ever in the history of the Asian Games. "The basketball last night (Saturday) attracted almost 17 million TV viewers."

The Asiad has produced a total of 478 gold medals in various events, which saw 15 world records broken, 28 Asian records renewed, and 150 Asian Games records bettered, according to Xu Deqing, chief spokesperson of the Hangzhou Asian Games and the director of the organizing committee's press and public relations department.

"We have achieved the most successful Asian Games in history," said Chen Weiqiang, executive secretary general of the organizing committee.

"This edition of the Asiad has integrated Hangzhou's rich historical heritage, surging innovation, vitality and distinct value pursuit into various aspects, creating a unique Asian Games brand."