1998 Asian Games

Bidding process

Three cities placed a bid for the Games. All three, Taipei (Chinese Taipei), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Bangkok (Thailand) submitted their formal bid in 1989. It was the first time that Thailand has presented a bid for host the Asian Games, as Bangkok was the default host of previous three games.

The vote was held on September 27, 1990, at the China Palace Tower Hotel in Beijing, China, during the 9th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly held during the 1990 Asian Games. All 37 members voted, with voting held in secret ballot. It was announced that Bangkok won an Asian Games bid process for the first time. Though the vote results were not released, was leaked to the press that Bangkok won by 20–10–7.

Bangkok became the first city to have staged the Asian Games for four editions, following 1966, 1970 and 1978, and this was the first time that the city had put a bid for the event.

19 votes were needed for selection.

Development and preparation

Costs

According to United Press International news report, preparations for the games including the construction and renovation of three main stadiums and an athletes' village, cost an estimated 6 billion Thai baht (US$167 million).

Venues

;Bang Kapi district

• Rajmangala Stadium (Opening & Closing ceremonies, Football)
• Indoor Stadium (Sepak Takraw)
• Velodrome (Cycling track)
• Shooting Range (Shooting)
• Clay Target Shooting Range (Clay Target Shooting)

;Muang Thong Thani

• IMPACT Arena:
• Hall 1-5 (Boxing, Billiards & Snooker, Gymnastics, Volleyball)
• Thunder Dome (Weightlifting)
• SCG Stadium (Rugby, Football)
• Tennis Centre (Tennis,Soft Tennis)

;Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus)

• Main Stadium (Athletics and Football)
• Gymnasium 1 (Basketball, Judo, Wrestling)
• Gymnasium 2 (Badminton)
• Gymnasium 3 (Handball)
• Gymnasium 4 (Fencing)
• Gymnasium 5 (Table Tennis)
• Gymnasium 6 (Wushu)
• Gymnasium 7 (Karate, Taekwondo)
• Tennis Court (Soft Tennis)
• Field 1 (Archery)
• Field 2 (Softball)
• Aquatic Center (Aquatics)
• Athletes Village

;Other venues ;Bangkok and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

• Kasetsart University (Hockey)
• PS Bowling Bangkapi (Bowling)
• Suphachalasai Stadium (Football)
• Thai Army Sports Stadium (Rugby)
• Thai-Japanese Stadium (Football)
• Thupatemee Stadium (Football)

;Chiang Mai

• 700th Anniversary Stadium (Football)

;Chonburi

• Ambassador Sport Center (Squash)
• Ao-Dongtarn Jomtien Beach (Sailing)
• Jomtien Beach (Beach Volleyball)
• Map Prachan Reservoir (Canoeing, Rowing)

;Nakhon Nayok

• Srinakharinwirot University (Ongkarak Campus) (Handball, Softball, Kabaddi)

;Nakhon Ratchasima

• Khao Yai Rimtarn Resort (Cycling Mountain bike)
• Phahonyothin Road – (Cycling Road)

;Nakhon Sawan

• Nakhon Sawan Province Central Stadium (Football)

;Pathum Thani

• Alpine Golf and Sports Club (Golf)
• Queen Sirikit Sport Complex (Baseball, Hockey preliminaries)

;Saraburi

• Fort Adhisorn Riding Club (Equestrian)

;Sisaket

• Sisaket Province Central Stadium (Football)

;Songkhla

• Suwannawong Gymnasium, Hat Yai (Sepak Takraw)
• Tinasulanon Stadium (Football)

;Suphan Buri

• Municipal Gymnasium (Basketball)
• Suphan Buri Province Central Stadium (Football)

;Surat Thani

• Surat Thani Province Central Stadium (Football)

;Trang

• Trang Province Central Stadium (Football)
• Municipal Gymnasium (Sepak Takraw)

Marketing

Emblem

The official emblem of the games combines elements from Thai stupas and pagodas, the letter "A", which means either "Asia" or "Athletes", and the logo of the Olympic Council of Asia. It symbolises the knowledge, intelligence and athletic prowess of Thailand.

Mascot

The official mascot of the games is an elephant named Chai-Yo (ไชโย), the equivalent of "hurrah" in Thai. Elephants are known and admired among Thais for their strength and nobility.

The Games

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony started at 17:00 local time on December 6, 1998. It was attended by King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch and President of the OCA Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah. The nations entered in alphabetic order of their country names in Thai during the parade of nations.

Participating National Olympic Committees

National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are named according to their official IOC designations and arranged according to their official IOC country codes in 1998.

Number of athletes by National Olympic Committees (by highest to lowest)

Sports

• Aquatics
  • (4)
  • (32)
  • (2)
  • (1)
• (4)
• (45)
• (7)
• (1)
• (2)
• (10)
• (12)
• (12)
• (10)
• (15)
• (6)
• (10)
• (2)
• (2)
• (4)
• (16)
• (2)
• (14)
• (1)
• (11)
• (11)
• (2)
• (16)
• (6)
• (34)
• (1)
• (4)
• (2)
• (7)
• (16)
• (7)
• Volleyball
  • (2)
  • (2)
• (15)
• (16)
• (11)

Demonstration

• (2)
• (11)

Medal table

Main article: 1998 Asian Games medal table

The top ten ranked NOCs at these Games are listed below. The host nation, Thailand, is highlighted. No line breaks please

Notes

References

References

1. [http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/AsianGames/daily/daily.html#n30 Thailand's King Lights Asian Games Flames] {{webarchive. link. (30 June 2018)
2. (27 September 1990). "Bangkok to host 1998 Asian games".
3. "What an Imperfect Time To Rethink Games Funding".
4. "Sadec Asiad 1998 venues".
5. (6 December 1998). "Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej ('BOOM-ee-pon Ah-doon-ya-det') formally opened the...".
6. "Emblem (Official website)".
7. (April 27, 2008). "13th Asian Games Bangkok 1998 - Chai-Yo". gz2010.cn (official website of 2010 Asian Games).
8. "Mascot (official website)".
9. (26 November 1998). "World: Asia-Pacific – Saudis pull out of Asian Games". [[BBC]].
10. "part 8 Opening Ceremony Asian Game 1998(bangkok)". YouTube.