Other Sports: China leaps into the future with Hangzhou Games

THE Olympics is the biggest multi-sports event? No, not if you look at the numbers.

While some 10,500 athletes are expected for the Paris Olympics next year, more than 12,000 athletes have been entered into the database before the opening ceremony on Saturday.

The eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou is promising a “big” show.

For one, the 19th Asian Games have been declared a “green” and “smart” one.

No fireworks were let off in the city during the opening ceremony, thus there was no smell of powder and burnt fuses.

Instead, impressive digital technology allowed television viewers to see AI-generated fireworks on the broadcast.

The cauldron is burning like in all other Games but it is the first in the world to be lit with green zero-carbon methanol.

The internet communication is ahead of the time.

The Chinese are testing out the state-of-the-art 5G-Advanced, which can facilitate data transfer up to 10 times faster than standard 5G gigabit networks currently in use.

If it goes as promised, there will be no lag even when venues are fully occupied, with tens of thousands of people surfing the internet at the same time.

Even the buses to baseball and softball venues are driver-less vehicles.

Nobody should have any reason to complain about the services and facilities in the Athletes and Media Village at the Asian Games Town.

The organisers have thought of almost everything. There is even a washing machine in every unit and a 24-hour helpdesk in every block.

The dining hall provides round-the-clock buffet catering serving various local and international cuisine.

The machines are taking over at these Asian Games.

There are android robot guard dogs and pianists, driverless ice-cream trucks and advanced gadgets to serve, entertain and ensure security.

A most intriguing machine was the automated mosquito trapper that mimics a human’s body temperature and breathing to lure in the pests before zapping them.

As for the human touch, the army of trained volunteers will go out of their way to help and give you a warm hearted feeling.

China have constantly improved since they hosted the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Fifteen years later, they are setting a new benchmark for the world.

The Paris Olympics will be hard-pressed to deliver the same comforts and facilities.