INQUIRER Sports

GUANGZHOU-- A year from now and billions of eyes will focus on Asian Games host Guangzhou, and the booming southern Chinese metropolis is planning to put on a show that attracts global recognition.

Three years ago, Qatar staged what was widely seen as the best Asian Games ever and the Chinese organizers of the massive sporting spectacle, from November 12-27 next year, want to go one better.

But they insist they are being fiscally responsible given the global economic crisis, and do not want to be compared to the hugely successful, and expensive, Beijing Olympics.

"In the wake of the Beijing Olympic Games, the public expectation for the Guangzhou Asian Games is higher, which poses a challenge," the city's vice mayor and executive deputy secretary general of the Guangzhou Organizing Committee Xu Ruisheng told AFP in an interview.

"However, the Beijing Olympics may culminate in 'sports fatigue syndrome' among the public, so we need to differentiate the Asian Games from Beijing 2008 to arouse the public's interest."

The 2008 Olympics were widely seen as setting a new benchmark and while Guangzhou wants to be different, organizers have tapped into that experience by recruiting members of the Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee.

Winning the right to host the Asian Games, the second largest sports event in the world after the Olympics, has changed the landscape of this city, with massive construction under way.

Seventy venues and training centers will be used -- some are being renovated and upgraded but 12 are being built from scratch.

Unlike New Delhi, which is struggling to get itself ready to host the Commonwealth Games in October next year, Guangzhou is ahead of schedule and on track to turn itself into an international metropolis.

To make access to venues as smooth as possible, the city, which is plagued by chronic traffic jams, is building nine new subway lines, with 80 percent of the stadiums served by trains.

It is all part of a massive investment into Guangzhou, which officials hope will keep the economy ticking along and leave a lasting legacy for the capital of Guangdong province.

"The Guangzhou Asian Games will help drive the development of Guangzhou and it will bring new opportunities and inject new vigor into China's economy," said Xu.
"A successful and amazing Asian Games is a platform to show off Guangzhou's comprehensive strength and improve its international reputation."

While Xu was coy about the size of the budget, previous estimates have put it at 200 billion yuan (29 billion US) with dozens of major projects under way, including a new train terminal, fast-lane highways and an overhaul of the city's water treatment system.

Other facilities include a library, an historical museum, a ballet theater, a sculpture garden and exhibition centers.

One of the biggest developments is the 1.7 billion dollar Asian Games Town, which will house the main press centre and broadcast centre, and accommodate an estimated 12,000 athletes and officials and 10,000 media.

Xu admitted the global financial crisis had affected preparations, but said they remained on track to deliver a memorable experience.

"Given the difficult economic environment, we believe that we have an even greater responsibility to host financially responsible Games," he said.

"To this end, we are committed to taking a pragmatic view towards preparations.

"While specific amounts cannot be made available, we have minimized costs wherever possible while diligently pursing all opportunities to raise funds, and recruit the necessary talent and support in terms of goods and services."

The Games will feature 45 countries with 12,000 athletes and officials. There will be 42 sports, up from 39 at the last Games, with cricket among the disciplines making its debut.