STORY: Hangzhou Asian Games promotes friendship: foreign attendees
DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:05
LOCATION: HANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 19th Asian Games
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): OLONBAYAR JAMSRAN, Mongolian athlete
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SAMANTHA ARUNA BANDARA RAJAPAKSA, Sri Lankan team official
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): WENDY MICHELLE WERNETH, Journalist from Asian Games News Service
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ABDULAZIZ MOHAMMAD S ALBAQOUS, Media attache of NOC Saudi Arabia

STORYLINE:

The 19th Asian Games were held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8, attracting 12,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions.

Many foreign attendees have shared their impressions of the just concluded sports event, saying it's a well-organized Games which has promoted friendship.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): OLONBAYAR JAMSRAN, Mongolian athlete
"I'm a Mongolian marathon runner. It's very unforgettable that this is my first time attending the Asian Games. The organizers of the Asian Games are very enthusiastic, and their service to us is very warm and excellent. I've made a lot of friends here."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SAMANTHA ARUNA BANDARA RAJAPAKSA, Sri Lankan team official
"I think it's been a very well-organized event. Everyone has had a really good time. And I think we've got to meet a lot of archer sportsmen, at least from other countries. The Athletes' Village has been really nice.
So those are a lot of good memories that we'll take back from China. I think unity is the key strength among all sports, countries in Asia, initiating quite a strong bond. So we all get together as one, a lot of friendships, a lot of unity, a lot of fellowship as well. So it's really nice."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): WENDY MICHELLE WERNETH, Journalist from Asian Games News Service
"I think I've seen a lot of good sportsmanship here, all of the competitors seem to be really good friends, and they're always cheering each other on and hugging at the end. So that was really great to see."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ABDULAZIZ MOHAMMAD S ALBAQOUS, Media attache of NOC Saudi Arabia
"I always say gold medals and any medal is very important for any team in the Games. But the number one gold medal that all of us have won is this gathering, all of Asia together in one location, over 12,000 athletes. This is why we always like to say that it's beyond sports, it's more special than only the competition and the winning. And this is something that I'll have to cherish for the rest of my life."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hangzhou, China.
(XHTV)