Xiangshan stages event to begin 200-day countdown to Asian Games

Students from Ningbo's Xiangshan county paint patterns related to the 19th Asian Games on a 100-meter scroll on March 5. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

More than 150 students from Ningbo's Xiangshan county were invited to paint patterns related to the 19th Asian Games on a 100-meter scroll on March 5 to mark the beginning of the 200-day countdown to the Games two days later.

The event was staged at the Asian Games Sailing Center, the venue for the sailing competitions of the 19th Asian Games.

With a total investment of roughly 600 million yuan ($86.58 million), the center is the first sports venue in Zhejiang qualified to host international A-level sports competitions. 

In addition to the Asian Games Sailing Center, Xiangshan is home to the Banbianshan Beach Volleyball Center, the venue for the beach volleyball competitions of the Asian Games, which will be held in September.

Twenty-five athletes from Ningbo, including Olympic champions Shi Zhiyong, Wang Shun and Yang Qian, are gearing up for the upcoming Games. They are expected to compete in 15 events including weightlifting, swimming, shooting, wrestling, rock climbing, track and field, hip-hop, equestrian, windsurfing, gymnastics, trampoline, cycling, badminton and archery.