By REY C. LACHICA
HANGZHOU, China –– The Asian Games officially opened Saturday, Sept. 23, the way it was advertised – dazzling.
It was indeed worth waiting for after it was delayed for a year as the host nation once again flaunted its might and smart technology with breathtaking opening rites that depicted city’s rich culture apart from showcasing its historical and major attractions.
The wow factor was there for everyone to see that they described it as as visual masterpiece.
So when President Xi Jinping declared the 19th edition of what was trumpeted as the biggest in the Asian Games history, the massive crowd, including foreign leaders, in the 80,000-capacity Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium roared in approval.
Sign of good things to come for this city of 12 million.
Will Olympics be its next target?
Where is Goma?
That’s the question that needs to be answered as actor-turned-politician Richard Gomez was a no-show during the lavish opening rites.
For everybody’s knowledge, Gomez is the chief de mission of the 395-man Team Philippines.
Is there a rift within the POC family?
Hopefully none – not at this time when Filipino athletes are vying for sporting glory.
According to one official, Gomez failed to arrive in time due to “budget hearing “ being a congressman of Ormoc.
Looking great and confident
Thanks to world-class Filipino designer Rodolfo “Puey” Quinones, Filipino athletes, led by pole vault ace EJ Obiena and skateboarding champion Margielyn Didal, and a small group of officials were daper in Barong Tagalog during the traditional parade of nations.
Quinones’ biggest claim to fame was when he became the featured designer mentor in the 2002 award-winning documentary The World’s Most Fashionable Prison.
Didal and Obiena looked happy and confident as they proudly carried the PH flag with POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and other sports officials also in the company.
Rivals forever
Athletes from Japan and South Korea are expected to give the hosts a run for their money in several sports, including in swimming, athletics, fencing, football, table tennis and even Esports.
That makes this year’s Asian Games a feast of engrossing action, but China will have a built-in advantage, having the crowd on their side.
Also, the host nation boasts of 37 world champions, a testament to its dominance in the quadrennial showpiece.
Just recently, Chinese swimmers struck for five golds in the World Aquatics Championships in Japan, a feat that bodes well in their drive to torpedo their rivals once again.
