China postpones the Asian Games 2022 as it combats its largest Covid-19 outbreak

The Asian Games 2022, scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China, have been postponed. The reason for the delay was not disclosed, but according to Chinese official media accounts, it was caused by the recent COVID-19 outbreak. The Asian Games’ 19th edition was set to take place in Hangzhou from September 10 to September 25.

A spectacular #droneshow held by the HAGOC committee to mark the launch of the 2022 #AsianGames Fun Run.

In the press conference, Mr. Husain Al-Musallam affirmed that he strongly believes the Hangzhou Asian Games #FunRun will have great success in the entire Asian continent. pic.twitter.com/aVLM4EwnZq

— Olympic Council of Asia (@AsianGamesOCA) May 4, 2022

The host city Hangzhou is close to Shanghai which has been under several weeks of lockdown.  Restrictions have been put in place across large parts of the city with its 25 million residents being ordered to stay home.

“Continued uncertainty over conditions” prompted FISU to reschedule the event.

Organisers announced last month that 56 competition venues had been completed for the Asian Games and Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, a city of 12 million in eastern China.

According to reports in Chinese media, the Olympic Council of Asia had announced that the 19th Asian Games, originally scheduled to be held in Hangzhou from September 10 to 25, would be postponed, and a new date will be announced soon.