Unit 11. The Asian Games

The opening ceremony of the 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006, Qatar
THE
ASIAN GAMES (ASIAD)
Before you read
Look at the news on a Web site and some pictures of the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, 2006. Tell your partner if you wish to be at such an event. Give your reasons.
Viet Nam to send 247 athletes to Doha ASIAD
The National Sports and Physical Training Committee has finalized a list of 247 athletes to compete in 26 events at the 15 Asian Games (ASIAD) to be held in Doha, Qatar, December 1-15.
The Viet Nam team eyes six gold medals in bodybuilding, karatedo, judo, taekwondo, shooting, and weightlifting.

Four years ago, Viet Nam took four gold medals and finished 15th out of 44 countries at the Pusan ASIAD in the Republic of Korean.
The 15th Asian Games
The spirit of the Asian Games has been built up over a long period of time, and passed from one Games to the next spreading messages of unity, warmth, and friendship through competitive sport. The warmth of the Asian Games comes not only from the symbolic flame, but from the relationships that are established among individual athletes, coaches, trainers, officials, volunteers, and spectators who come together from many different backgrounds and cultures.
Just 11 countries and regions participated in the 1st Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, with only six sports. The 15th Asian Games took place from December 1 through December 15, 2006, in Doha, capital of Qatar. More than 10,000 athletes, who represented 45 countries and regions, took part in 39 sports and 424 events of the Games, the most important event in Asia. Some new events such as chess and triathlon were also included in the Games.
The 15th Asian Games was organized at 34 sporting venues, including Khalifa Stadium, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. The Opening Ceremony of the 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006, at Khalifa Stadium, was the most spectacular opening of any Games with 50,000 people to get into Khalifa Stadium and more than one billion television viewers. The Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee (DAGOC) wanted to ensure that everybody who saw the ceremony would have a memory for life as suggested in the slogan “The Games of Your Life”. The 15th Asian Games was a successful sporting event that all attendees would never forget. Everyone is looking forward to the 16th Asian Games, which will be held in Guangzhou, China, from November 2 to November 18, 2010.
Complete the table below with the information from the reading text.

What types of information are you interested in knowing about the 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006?

Work in groups. Answer these questions.
Where is Qatar on the world map?
How many sports did Viet Nam took part in?
How many medals did Viet Nam have? In which sports?
Qatar is an Arab emirate in Southwest Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the larger Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south; otherwise the Persian Gulf surrounds the state.

Viet Nam took part in 26 sports.
Viet Nam had 23 medals include 3 gold, 13 silver and 7 bronze ones.
If your country is hosting such an event, which item(s) in a) will be of your greatest concern?
Write it out and state your reason briefly.