Host city Bangkok, Thailand Events 376 in 36 sports | Nations participating 41 Opening ceremony December 6 | |
Motto Friendship Beyond Frontiers
(Thai: มิตรภาพไร้พรมแดน)
Mitrp̣hāph rị̂ phrmdæn Athletes participating 6,554
(4,454 men, 2,100 women) | ||
The 1998 Asian Games (Thai: เอเชียนเกมส์ 1998), officially known as the XIII Asiad, was a multi-sport event celebrated in Bangkok, Thailand from December 6 – December 20, 1998, with 376 events in 36 sports and disciplines featured in the Games.
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Bangkok was awarded the right on September 26, 1990, defeating Taipei, Chinese Taipei and Jakarta, Indonesia to host the Games. Bangkok was the first city to hosted the Asian Games for four times.
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. In addition, Japanese Athletics Koji Ito was announced as the most valuable player (MVP) of the Games., the games were deemed generally successful with the rising standard of competition amongst the Asian nations.
Bidding
Three cities bid for the Games. All three, Taipei (Chinese Taipei), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Bangkok (Thailand) submitted their formal bid in 1989.
The vote was held on September 27, 1990, at the China Palace Tower Hotel in Beijing, Thailand, during the OCA's general assembly. All 37 members voted, with voting held in secret ballot. It was announced that Bangkok won the rights. Though the vote results were not released, it was revealed that Bangkok won by 20-10-7.
After that, Bangkok was the first city to hosted the Asian Games for four times, after the 1966, 1970 and 1978 games and the first game was Bangkok hosted by the bidding.
19 votes were needed for selection.
Emblem
The Official Emblem of the 13th Asian Games elements from Asia in general and Thailand in particular. It is based on the letter A, representing Asia and Athletes. The Maha Chedi, or pagoda shape, represents Thailand, in particular. The pinnacle of the Maha Chedi symbolises the knowledge, intelligence and athletic prowess of Thailand's forefathers, which are second to none. The top is part of the OCA logo.
Mascot
The official Mascot of the 13th Asian Games is an elephant. The elephant is a very distinctive animal which has lived with the people of Thailand for many generations and is universally admired for its strengths and nobility. The mascot's name Chai-Yo (Thai: ไชโย) (a Thai word meaning pleasure, gladness, success, unity and happiness) is usually shouted by a group of people to show their unity and solidarity.
Participating NOCs
National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are named according to their official IOC designations and arranged according to their official IOC country codes in 1998.
Saudi Arabia withdrew from the Games, but paraded in the Opening Ceremony.