A record-breaking medal haul confirmed Asia’s emergence as the sporting world’s rising superpower, Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), declared on Sunday.
A powerful display from China, a resurgent campaign from Japan and strong showings from other nations such as South Korea and Thailand ensured that Athens will be remembered as the Asian games, Rogge said.
“What we have seen here in Athens is the awakening of Asia,” Rogge told a press conference ahead of Sunday’s closing ceremony.
He said the performances of Asia at the Olympics signalled a shift in the balance of power. Established nations would have to fight to avoid being overtaken at future games.
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“This is the games where Asia was truly awakened. This is a strong sign that Asian countries will be at full strength in Beijing in four years time,” Rogge said.
“The traditional powers of the Olympics will have to work very, very hard to maintain their present positions. This has been an extremely pleasant trend for us to see.”
With 17 more titles to be decided on Sunday, China’s total medal tally stands at 62, including 31 golds, placing the Asian giants second only behind the United States for their highest finish at an Olympics.
China came to Athens aiming to consolidate its position from Sydney as the third most powerful Olympic nation behind the United States and Russia, but the Russians have been left far behind with just 23 gold medals.
And China has a strong chance to extend its record-breaking feats with another gold on the last day of the Games, with Chen Zhong a favourite to defend her crown in the women’s over-67 kilogram heavyweight taekwondo competition.
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“It’s a new milestone for Chinese sports. Today is a holiday for the Chinese people,” China’s state-run Xinhua news agency proclaimed in an editorial.
One of the highlights of China’s late surge came on Friday, when Liu Xiang won the 110 metres hurdles in a world record-equalling time of 12.91 seconds to claim his nation’s first-ever men’s athletics gold.
China’s media were still hailing Liu’s achievements on Sunday, with the Yangcheng Evening News saying he had shown the world the meaning of “Chinese speed”.
“Liu Xiang didn’t just conquer the hurdles in the field. He conquered 108 years of Asian humiliation in this particular event,” it said. “He created a sports miracle to match the miracle of China’s economic take-off.”
Japan meanwhile was one short of equalling its record haul, its 15 gold medals the best return since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
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Thailand, with three golds, was also celebrating its best ever Olympic performance, along with Taiwan, who won their first ever gold medals with two titles in Taekwondo.