The 2009 East Asian Games, officially known as the V East Asian Games, was an international multi-sport event that hosted by Hong Kong, between 5 December and 13 December 2009. A total of 2,377 athletes from 9 East Asian national competed in 262 events in 22 sports.[1] It was the biggest sporting event ever held in the territory.[1]
Organisation
Bid
In 2003 Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Mongolia entered the bidding process as potential host cities for the 5th East Asian games.[2] Mongolia subsequently withdrew. On 3 November 2003 at a meeting in Macau, Hong Kong was selected as the host.[3]
On 13 January 2006 the Legislative Council had approved the government spending of HK$123 million for the games.[4] The total expenditure for the games is estimated to be HK$240 million. The estimated total revenue is also HK$240 million, including HK$123 million government funding, HK$43 million from ticket and merchandise sales and HK$74 million from cash sponsorship.[5]
Stanley Main Beach Water Sports Centre: Windsurfing
Fireworks emblem
Emblem
During the 2005 East Asian Games in Macau, a competition was held to determine the logo for the 5th East Asian Games. On 11 July 2005 a fireworks emblem, designed by Clement Yick Tat-wa, was selected. The design makes reference to the five Olympic rings, and the sparkling fireworks symbolise the energy of athletes striving to fulfill their potential and to achieve sporting excellence.[7]
Slogan
A slogan contest was held at the Asian Games in 2006 and the winning suggestion was "Be the Legend" (Chinese: 創造傳奇一刻; Jyutping: cong3 zou6 cyun4 kei4 jat1 hak1); fitting well with the ideals of athletes reaching their potential and achieving legendary victories. This slogan was submitted by secondary school student Choi Sau-chu (蔡秀珠).[8] The event song is You are the Legend (Chinese: 衝出世界; Jyutping: cung1 ceot1 sai3 gaai3).[9]
"Dony" (Chinese: 東仔; Jyutping: dung1 zai2) and "Ami" (Chinese: 亞妹; Jyutping: ngaa3 mui6), carrying the motifs of a flaming torch and the Lion Rock, were the mascots of the Games.[10]
Stamps
A set of "Heartwarming Stamps" were released in March and another set was available in August while commemorative stamps were issued on the opening day of the event, 5 December.[11]
Countdowns
One year
The 1 year countdown to the 2009 East Asian games began with Hong Kong Chief executiveDonald Tsang inaugurating a special countdown clock in Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 5 December 2008.[12] The ceremony was also attended by chairman of the East Asian Games planning committee Timothy Fok and heads of delegations of the nine countries. The countdown clock is based on the Mascot "Dony". The Cantonese version of the theme song You are the Legend was also performed for the first time by 30 Hong Kong singers including Alan Tam.[12] Representatives of the Hong Kong 18 district councils were also present.[12] For the 300-day countdown, 24 athletes were invited to sing the theme song at the Alan Tam Hacken Lee concert.[13]
A torch relay was held on August 29 as part of the 100-day Countdown. The relay held the theme "Light the way to the EAG".[17] The torch is a curvy cylinder with a square top and round bottom. It resembles the horn of an ox as 2009 is the year of the Ox.[18] They create the patterns of "Lucky Clouds" to put forward the concept of yin and yang. This also convey the message that Hong Kong is a place where the Chinese and Western cultures meet.[18]
Calendar
In the following calendar for the 2009 East Asian Games, each blue box represents an event competition, such as a qualification round, on that day. The yellow boxes represent days during which medal-awarding finals for a sport were held.[19]
State CouncilorLiu Yandong graced the official opening ceremony on December 5, which featured an extensive firework display and a large scale music and dance performance at Hong Kong Cultural Centre section of Victoria Harbour. IOC PresidentJacques Rogge and some IOC members also attended the ceremony. Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, in his speech said in part: "Through sport, we will celebrate the cultural diversity, friendship and indomitable spirit of our region. Hong Kong extends the hand of friendship to all our guests and visitors." Following this, the torch was brought into Victoria Harbour and the cauldron was lit, signalling the climax of the opening ceremony.
Sports
2009 East Asian Games featured 262 events in 22 sports (including 16 Olympics sports), a new record of East Asian Games history.
The closing ceremony took place on 13 December at KowloonHong Kong Coliseum. After the country entrances, the event featured a host of performance art section on stage and the transfer of the East Asian Games flag to the host of the next host Tianjin.[20] Three sections including Color, Flower and Ocean were on display along with a host of international popstars.[21]
Medal table
A total of 262 gold medals are presented in East Asian Games. The following table shows the Final Medal Tally of regions:[22]
Flags of nine countries and EAG in Hong Kong Park Olympic Square
All of the 9 East Asian Games Association (EAGA) that existed as of 2009 participated in the 2009 East Asian Games. China had the largest team, with 474 athletes.
^ abKuomintang official site. "KMT.org.twArchived 2011-05-13 at the Wayback Machine." Chinese Taipei Wins God Medal in Men’s 400-Meter Relay. Retrieved on 2010-01-24.
^ abcEast asian games.hk. "East asian games.hkArchived 2009-06-25 at the Wayback Machine." The Community Celebrates the Start of the One-year Countdown to the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games. Retrieved on 2010-01-24.
^East asian games.hk. "East asian games.hkArchived 2009-06-25 at the Wayback Machine." The 300-day countdown to the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games. Retrieved on 2010-01-24.
^ abEast asian games.hk. "East asian games.hkArchived 2009-08-25 at the Wayback Machine." Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground opens to celebrate EAG 200-day countdown. Retrieved on 2010-01-24.
^Lcsd.gov.hk. "Lcsd.gov.hkArchived 2010-01-26 at the Wayback Machine." The Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games 100-day Countdown cum Torch Relay. Retrieved on 2010-01-24.
^ abLcsd.gov.hk. "Lcsd.gov.hkArchived 2010-01-26 at the Wayback Machine." Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China – The Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games 100-day Countdown cum Torch Relay. Retrieved on 2010-01-25.
^Hong Kong 2009 (27 November 2009). "Schedule". Archived from the original on 2010-03-10. Retrieved 2009-12-08.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
