STORY: 19th Asian Games in eyes of foreign attendees
DATELINE: Oct. 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:04:58
LOCATION: HANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 19th Asian Games

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ARNAB SHARAR, Bangladeshi athlete
"We are really amazed as China hosts it (the Asian Games) very nicely."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ABDULAZIZ MOHAMMAD S ALBAQOUS, Media attache of NOC Saudi Arabia
"There're plenty of amazing memories."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RICHARD SETYON, Journalist from Olympic Council of Asia
"I'm enjoying every minute."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): WENDY MICHELLE WERNETH, Journalist from Asian Games News Service
"It's been a really great experience."

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): OLONBAYAR JAMSRAN, Mongolian athlete
"I've made a lot of friends here. Many of them are Chinese friends. The organizers of the Asian Games are very enthusiastic, and their service to us is very warm and excellent."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): ABDULAZIZ MOHAMMAD S ALBAQOUS, Media attache of NOC Saudi Arabia
"Lots of good memories, the welcoming here, the amazing preparations and organization of the whole Games. It was delivered to the highest standards. From moment No. 1 until the end, we enjoyed it to the maximum."

SOUNDBITE 7 (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. Everything has been organized very professionally. All the sports facilities, the accommodations, everything has been at its best."

SOUNDBITE 8 (English): VINOD KUMAR TIWARI, Acting director general of the Olympic Council of Asia
"Technically, they had one of the finest Asian Games ever."

SOUNDBITE 9 (English): SOAAD ALFAQAAN, Kuwaiti athlete
"Even in the dining hall, you can see, just with the separation of the food and waste, they're doing a food waste recycling. So you can see it everywhere."

SOUNDBITE 10 (English): SAMANTHA ARUNA BANDARA RAJAPAKSA, Sri Lankan team official
"When you look at most of the areas, there's been minimal use of plastics, etc. And all recyclable. A lot of initiatives have been taken."

SOUNDBITE 11 (English): HAMED GHAFFARI, Technical staff, beIN SPORTS from Qatar
"Electric and hybrid cars and buses. It's very good."

SOUNDBITE 12 (English): ANNA MALINDOG-UY, Vice President of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute
"China's sustainable practice during the Hangzhou Asian Games is one way of telling the world that it puts premium on climate change mitigation by promoting renewable energy sources, and adopting energy-efficient technologies. It displays China's commitment to sustainability and efficient use of resources."

SOUNDBITE 13 (English): ARNAB SHARAR, Bangladeshi athlete
"The most impressive part of the event is the technology that China has used for the athletes, for the opening ceremony, for the volunteers, for everything and everybody."

SOUNDBITE 14 (English): PHILIP WILLIAM HUMPHREYS, British journalist
"At every event, the technology kicks on a bit, it improves. I think the one thing that stood out for me when I was covering athletics, there is the little robot dogs that they have collecting the discus and taking it back. That was quite amazing to see. I mean I think you can't go too far with technology."

SOUNDBITE 15 (English): NANIEN YUNIAR, Journalist from Indonesian news agency Antara
"I really like the face recognition feature when you go anywhere, so you don't spend so much time. I think that's cool."

SOUNDBITE 16 (English): RICHARD SETYON, Journalist, Olympic Council of Asia
"Hangzhou, and the Asian Games are No. 1 in the world that I've seen on technology. Everything. I don't use money. I use Alipay. It's comfortable. It's very easy because of technology."

SOUNDBITE 17 (English): SOAAD ALFAQAAN, Kuwaiti athlete
"The technology is everywhere. It's very advanced, very amazing. You feel like you're in the future."

SOUNDBITE 18 (English): ABDULAZIZ MOHAMMAD S ALBAQOUS, Media attache of NOC Saudi Arabia
"I mean the most priceless thing is you get to have after such events you go back with more friends. And this is something that I'll have to cherish for the rest of my life."

SOUNDBITE 19 (English): SAMANTHA ARUNA BANDARA RAJAPAKSA, Sri Lankan team official
"I think the 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. So it's really nice."

SOUNDBITE 20 (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 21 (English): SONYA MICHELLE PORTER, Technical Director at Singapore Swimming Association
"I mean that's the beauty of sports. It brings everybody to a neutral ground. That's what the Olympics were all about. And to see it happening on this level of Asian Games."

SOUNDBITE 22 (English): ANNA MALINDOG-UY, Vice President of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute
"Sport events like the Asian Games foster mutual understanding and appreciation and put emphasis on the common goals and shared values, such as fair competition, teamwork, and respect for rules. Sports events like the Asian Games play a valuable role in promoting peace and unity."

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