1998 Asian Games

Multi-sport event in Bangkok, Thailand

XIII Asian Games

Host city| Bangkok, Thailand
Motto| Friendship Beyond Frontiers
(Thai: มิตรภาพไร้พรมแดน)
Mitrp̣hāph rị̂ phrmdæn
Nations| 41
Athletes| 6,554
(4,454 men, 2,100 women)
Events| 377 in 36 sports
Opening| 6 December 1998
Closing| 20 December 1998
Opened by| Bhumibol Adulyadej
King of Thailand
Closed by| Vajiralongkorn
Crown Prince of Thailand
Athlete's Oath| Preeda Chulamonthol
Judge's Oath| Songsak Charoenpong
Torch lighter| Somluck Kamsing
Main venue| Rajamangala National Stadium
Website| asiangames.th (archived)
Summer

<- Hiroshima 1994

Busan 2002 ->

Winter

<- Harbin 1996

Gangwon 1999 ->

Part of a series on
1998 Asian Games

* Bid process
* Venues
* Marketing
* Concerns and controversies
* Torch relay
* Opening ceremony (flag bearers)
* Medal table (medalists)
* Closing ceremony
* Event calendar

* OCA
* NOCT
* BAGOC

* v
* t
* e

The 1998 Asian Games (Thai: เอเชียนเกมส์ 2541 or เอเชียนเกมส์ 1998), officially known as the 13th Asian Games (Thai: กีฬาเอเชียนเกมส์ครั้งที่ 13) and the XIII Asiad,[citation needed], or simply Bangkok 1998 (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร 1998), were an Asian multi-sport event celebrated in Bangkok, Thailand from December 6 to 20, 1998, with 377 events in 36 sports and disciplines participated by 6,554 athletes across the continent. The sporting events commenced on 30 November 1998, a week earlier than the opening ceremony. It is a last time that the multi-sport event would be held in Bangkok until the 2007 Summer Universiade.

Bangkok was awarded the right on September 26, 1990, defeating Taipei, Taiwan and Jakarta, Indonesia to host the Games. It was the first city to hosted the Asian Games for four times,but was the first time that the city make a bid to host. The last three editions it hosted were in 1966, 1970 and 1978 (in the latter two cases stepping in to prevent the Games from being cancelled due to problems with the elected hosts). The event was opened by Bhumibol Adulyadej, the king of Thailand, at the Rajamangala Stadium.[1]

The final medal tally was led by China, followed by South Korea, Japan and the host Thailand. Thailand set a new record with 24 gold medals. Japanese Athletics Koji Ito was announced as the most valuable player (MVP) of the Games. For Thailand, it was considered one of its remarkable achievement in sports development throughout the country's modern history.

## Bidding process

[edit]

Three cities placed a bid for the Games. All three, Taipei (Chinese Taipei), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Bangkok (Thailand) submitted their formal bid in 1989. It was the first time that Thailand has presented a bid for host the Asian Games, as Bangkok was the default host of previous three games.

The vote was held on September 27, 1990, at the China Palace Tower Hotel in Beijing, China, during the 9th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly held during the 1990 Asian Games. All 37 members voted, with voting held in secret ballot. It was announced that Bangkok won an Asian Games bid process for the first time. Though the vote results were not released, was leaked to the press that Bangkok won by 20–10–7.

Bangkok became the first city to have staged the Asian Games for four editions, following 1966, 1970 and 1978, and this was the first time that the city had put a bid for the event.[2][3]

19 votes were needed for selection.

1998 Asian Games bidding result  City  | Country  | Votes

|
|

Bangkok |  Thailand | 20
Taipei |  Chinese Taipei | 10
Jakarta |  Indonesia | 7

## Development and preparation

[edit]

### Costs

[edit]

According to United Press International news report, preparations for the games including the construction and renovation of three main stadiums and an athletes' village, cost an estimated 6 billion Thai baht (US$167 million).

### Venues

[edit]

[4][5]

Cauldron for the Games at Rajamangala Stadium.

Bang Kapi district

* Rajmangala Stadium (Opening & Closing ceremonies, Football)
* Indoor Stadium (Sepak Takraw)
* Velodrome (Cycling track)
* Shooting Range (Shooting)
* Clay Target Shooting Range (Clay Target Shooting)

Muang Thong Thani

* IMPACT Arena:
* Hall 1-5 (Boxing, Billiards & Snooker, Gymnastics, Volleyball)
* Thunder Dome (Weightlifting)
* SCG Stadium (Rugby, Football)
* Tennis Centre (Tennis,Soft Tennis)

Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus)

* Main Stadium (Athletics and Football)
* Gymnasium 1 (Basketball, Judo, Wrestling)
* Gymnasium 2 (Badminton)
* Gymnasium 3 (Handball)
* Gymnasium 4 (Fencing)
* Gymnasium 5 (Table Tennis)
* Gymnasium 6 (Wushu)
* Gymnasium 7 (Karate, Taekwondo)
* Tennis Court (Soft Tennis)
* Field 1 (Archery)
* Field 2 (Softball)
* Aquatic Center (Aquatics)
* Athletes Village

Other venues
Bangkok and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

* Kasetsart University (Hockey)
* PS Bowling Bangkapi (Bowling)
* Suphachalasai Stadium (Football)
* Thai Army Sports Stadium (Rugby)
* Thai-Japanese Stadium (Football)
* Thupatemee Stadium (Football)

Chiang Mai

* 700th Anniversary Stadium (Football)

Chonburi

* Ambassador Sport Center (Squash)
* Ao-Dongtarn Jomtien Beach (Sailing)
* Jomtien Beach (Beach Volleyball)
* Map Prachan Reservoir (Canoeing, Rowing)

Nakhon Nayok

* Srinakharinwirot University (Ongkarak Campus) (Handball, Softball, Kabaddi)

Nakhon Ratchasima

* Khao Yai Rimtarn Resort (Cycling Mountain bike)
* Phahonyothin Road – (Cycling Road)

Nakhon Sawan

* Nakhon Sawan Province Central Stadium (Football)

Pathum Thani

* Alpine Golf and Sports Club (Golf)
* Queen Sirikit Sport Complex (Baseball, Hockey preliminaries)

Saraburi

* Fort Adhisorn Riding Club (Equestrian)

Sisaket

* Sisaket Province Central Stadium (Football)

Songkhla

* Suwannawong Gymnasium, Hat Yai (Sepak Takraw)
* Tinasulanon Stadium (Football)

Suphan Buri

* Municipal Gymnasium (Basketball)
* Suphan Buri Province Central Stadium (Football)

Surat Thani

* Surat Thani Province Central Stadium (Football)

Trang

* Trang Province Central Stadium (Football)
* Municipal Gymnasium (Sepak Takraw)

## Marketing

[edit]

### Emblem

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The official emblem of the games combines elements from Thai stupas and pagodas, the letter "A", which means either "Asia" or "Athletes", and the logo of the Olympic Council of Asia. It symbolises the knowledge, intelligence and athletic prowess of Thailand.[6]

### Mascot

[edit]

"Chai-Yo", the mascot of the games

The official mascot of the games is an elephant named Chai-Yo (ไชโย), the equivalent of "hurrah" in Thai. Elephants are known and admired among Thais for their strength and nobility.[7][8]

## The Games

[edit]

### Opening ceremony

[edit]

The opening ceremony started at 17:00 local time on December 6, 1998. It was attended by King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch and President of the OCA Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah. The nations entered in alphabetic order of their country names in Thai during the parade of nations.

### Participating nations

[edit]

National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are named according to their official IOC designations and arranged according to their official IOC country codes in 1998.

Participating National Olympic Committees

* Bahrain (15)
* Bangladesh (44)
* Bhutan (21)
* Brunei (57)
* Cambodia (104)
* China (828)
* Hong Kong (290)
* India (328)
* Indonesia (213)
* Iran (318)
* Japan (965)
* Jordan (55)
* Kazakhstan (462)
* Kuwait (209)
* Kyrgyzstan (147)
* Laos (113)
* Lebanon (79)
* Macau (97)
* Malaysia (229)
* Maldives (50)
* Mongolia (198)
* Myanmar (76)
* Nepal (93)
* North Korea (299)
* Oman (52)
* Pakistan (139)
* Palestine (37)
* Philippines (386)
* Qatar (206)
* Singapore (194)
* South Korea (754)
* Sri Lanka (116)
* Syria (58)
* Chinese Taipei (508)
* Tajikistan (163)
* Thailand (1055) (host)
* Turkmenistan (77)
* United Arab Emirates (119)
* Uzbekistan (275)
* Vietnam (188)
* Yemen (32)

Saudi Arabia boycotted using the argument that the event was being held during Ramadan, but latter was discovered that the real motive of the action the tense diplomatic relations between Thailand who were deteriorated by the Blue Diamond Affair.[9] However, a Saudi representative still paraded in the Opening Ceremony.[10]

## Number of athletes by National Olympic Committees (by highest to lowest)

[edit]

IOC Letter Code | Country  | Athletes

|
|

THA |  Thailand | 1055
JPN |  Japan | 965
CHN |  China | 828
KOR |  South Korea | 754
TPE |  Chinese Taipei | 508
KAZ |  Kazakhstan | 462
PHI |  Philippines | 386
IND |  India | 328
IRI |  Iran | 318
PRK |  North Korea | 299
HKG |  Hong Kong | 290
UZB |  Uzbekistan | 275
MAS |  Malaysia | 229
INA |  Indonesia | 213
KUW |  Kuwait | 209
QAT |  Qatar | 206
MGL |  Mongolia | 198
SIN |  Singapore | 194
VIE |  Vietnam | 188
TJK |  Tajikistan | 163
KGZ |  Kyrgyzstan | 147
PAK |  Pakistan | 139
UAE |  United Arab Emirates | 119
SRI |  Sri Lanka | 116
LAO |  Laos | 113
CAM |  Cambodia | 104
MAC |  Macau | 97
NEP |  Nepal | 93
LIB |  Lebanon | 79
TKM |  Turkmenistan | 77
MYA |  Myanmar | 76
SYR |  Syria | 58
BRU |  Brunei | 57
JOR |  Jordan | 55
OMA |  Oman | 52
MDV |  Maldives | 50
BAN |  Bangladesh | 44
PLE |  Palestine | 37
YEM |  Yemen | 32
BHU |  Bhutan | 21
BRN |  Bahrain | 15

### Sports

[edit]

* Aquatics
* Diving (details) (4)
* Swimming (details) (32)
* Synchronized swimming (details) (2)
* Water polo (details) (1)
* Archery (details) (4)
* Athletics (details) (45)
* Badminton (details) (7)
* Baseball (details) (1)
* Basketball (details) (2)
* Bowling (details) (10)
* Boxing (details) (12)
* Canoeing (details) (12)
* Cue sports (details) (10)
* Cycling (details) (15)
* Equestrian (details) (6)
* Fencing (details) (10)
* Field hockey (details) (2)
* Football (details) (2)
* Golf (details) (4)
* Gymnastics (details) (16)
* Handball (details) (2)
* Judo (details) (14)
* Kabaddi (details) (1)
* Karate (details) (11)
* Rowing (details) (11)
* Rugby union (details) (2)
* Sailing (details) (16)
* Sepak takraw (details) (6)
* Shooting (details) (34)
* Softball (details) (1)
* Soft tennis (details) (4)
* Squash (details) (2)
* Table tennis (details) (7)
* Taekwondo (details) (16)
* Tennis (details) (7)
* Volleyball
* Volleyball (details) (2)
* Beach volleyball (details) (2)
* Weightlifting (details) (15)
* Wrestling (details) (16)
* Wushu (details) (11)

Demonstration

* Dancesport (details) (2)
* Muaythai (details) (11)

## Medal table

[edit]

Main article: 1998 Asian Games medal table

The top ten ranked NOCs at these Games are listed below. The host nation, Thailand, is highlighted.

* Host nation (Thailand)

Rank| Nation| Gold| Silver| Bronze| Total

|
|
|
|
|

1|  China (CHN)| 129| 78| 67| 274
2|  South Korea (KOR)| 65| 46| 53| 164
3|  Japan (JPN)| 52| 61| 68| 181
4|  Thailand (THA)*| 24| 26| 40| 90
5|  Kazakhstan (KAZ)| 24| 24| 30| 78
6|  Chinese Taipei (TPE)| 19| 17| 41| 77
7|  Iran (IRI)| 10| 11| 13| 34
8|  North Korea (PRK)| 7| 14| 12| 33
9|  India (IND)| 7| 11| 17| 35
10|  Uzbekistan (UZB)| 6| 22| 12| 40
11–33| Remaining| 35| 70| 114| 219
Totals (33 entries)| 378| 380| 467| 1,225

## See also

[edit]

* 1999 FESPIC Games

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Thailand's King Lights Asian Games Flames Archived 30 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ "Bangkok to host 1998 Asian games". United Press International. 27 September 1990.
3. ^ "What an Imperfect Time To Rethink Games Funding".
4. ^ "Sadec Asiad 1998 venues". Archived from the original on 2014-12-20. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
5. ^ "Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej ('BOOM-ee-pon Ah-doon-ya-det') formally opened the..." upi.com. 6 December 1998.
6. ^ "Emblem (Official website)". Archived from the original on 1998-01-15. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
7. ^ "13th Asian Games Bangkok 1998 - Chai-Yo". GAGOC. gz2010.cn (official website of 2010 Asian Games). April 27, 2008. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
8. ^ "Mascot (official website)". Archived from the original on 1998-01-15. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
9. ^ "World: Asia-Pacific – Saudis pull out of Asian Games". BBC. 26 November 1998.
10. ^ "part 8 Opening Ceremony Asian Game 1998(bangkok)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.

## External links

[edit]

* 1998 Asian Games official website (archived)
* 1998 Asian Games result system (archived)
* Sadec 1998 Asian Games Site (archived)
* Kompas Indonesia Games Coverage site (archived)
* Asian Games Language Selection Site (archived)

Preceded by

Hiroshima

|  Asian Games
Bangkok
XIII Asian Games (1998)  | Succeeded by

Busan

|
|

* v
* t
* e

Asian Games

* Sports
* Bids
* OCA
* NOCs
* Medal table
* Summer
* Winter
* Mascots

Summer Games|

* 1951 New Delhi
* 1954 Manila
* 1958 Tokyo
* 1962 Jakarta
* 1966 Bangkok
* 1970 Bangkok
* 1974 Tehran
* 1978 Bangkok
* 1982 New Delhi
* 1986 Seoul
* 1990 Beijing
* 1994 Hiroshima
* 1998 Bangkok
* 2002 Busan
* 2006 Doha
* 2010 Guangzhou
* 2014 Incheon
* 2018 Jakarta & Palembang
* 2022 Hangzhou†
* 2026 Aichi-Nagoya
* 2030 Doha
* 2034 Riyadh

Winter Games|

* 1986 Sapporo
* 1990 Sapporo
* 1996 Harbin
* 1999 Kangwon
* 2003 Aomori
* 2007 Changchun
* 2011 Astana & Almaty
* 2017 Sapporo
* 2025 Harbin
* 2029 Neom

* †Postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic

* v
* t
* e

Nations at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand

* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* China
* Chinese Taipei
* Hong Kong
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lebanon
* Macau
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* North Korea
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Palestine
* Philippines
* Qatar
* Singapore
* South Korea
* Sri Lanka
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

* v
* t
* e

Events at the 1998 Asian Games (Bangkok)

* Archery
* Athletics
* Badminton
* Baseball
* Basketball
* Beach volleyball
* Bowling
* Boxing
* Canoeing
* Cue sports
* Cycling
* Dancesport (demonstration)
* Diving
* Equestrian
* Fencing
* Field hockey
* Football
* Golf
* Gymnastics
* Handball
* Judo
* Kabaddi
* Karate
* Muaythai (demonstration)
* Rowing
* Rugby union
* Sailing
* Sepak takraw
* Shooting
* Soft tennis
* Softball
* Squash
* Swimming
* Synchronized swimming
* Table tennis
* Taekwondo
* Tennis
* Volleyball
* Water polo
* Weightlifting
* Wrestling
* Wushu

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