(VOVWORLD) - After 15 ferocious competition days, the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou came to an end with a brilliant Closing Ceremony at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium and light show along the Qiantangjiang River right by the "Big Lotus" stadium.
 The closing ceremony of the Asian Games takes place at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 8, 2023. (Kyodo) |
In line with the Games' stated aim of being sustainable and green, no fireworks were used.
Instead, augmented reality played a major role in the ceremony, with letters spelling the word "Asia" appearing out of the river and falling into the stadium as river tides. Hangzhou's city flower, the osmanthus, played a significant role in the ceremony, being a running theme in multiple segments.
Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Raja Randhir Singh, then declared the Games closed and the OCA flag was passed from Hangzhou to Aichi and Nagoya of Japan, the host of the next Asian Games, in 2026.