The 9th Asian Winter Games kicked off in Harbin, China, with a spectacular opening ceremony held at the Harbin Ice and Snow World Park. The cauldron, shaped like a blooming lilac flower, was lit by Chinese Olympic champions Yang Yang, Han Xiaopeng, Wang Zhen, and Zhang Hong, symbolizing the start of the Games.
The flame for the Games was lit at the Sun Island Scenic Area in Harbin on January 20th and carried by 120 torchbearers through the city's landmarks, including Harbin Central Street and the Songhua River. The opening ceremony culminated in a gala performance titled "Dream of Winter, Love among Asia," followed by the lighting of the cauldron.
Harbin, which previously hosted the Asian Winter Games in 1996, welcomes over 1,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia. This edition marks the largest in terms of participating delegations and athletes, with competitions in 64 events across six sports. The Games will conclude on February 14th.
8 Comments
KittyKat
“Here’s to a magical and memorable edition of the Asian Winter Games that brings out the best in all of us!”
BuggaBoom
“The blend of modern spectacle with traditional elements truly captures the essence of winter sports.”
Katchuka
“It seems like the emphasis on spectacle is a distraction from more important topics like athletes’ welfare.”
Noir Black
“All the fanfare feels forced; it’s hard to ignore the underlying political motives in the presentation.”
Donatello
“Bravo to the organizers for crafting such a memorable beginning to the Games!”
ZmeeLove
“This whole event seems too staged—almost like a political parade rather than a genuine sports celebration.”
Africa
“For me, this is just another elaborate marketing push to boost nationalism under the guise of sport.”
Mariposa
“The cauldron and the fanfare come off as overhyped PR stunts instead of genuine sporting spirit.”