Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Mesmerising mix of art and AI
Men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and woman boxer Lovlina Borgohain were India's flag bearers at the Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony which was a mix of tradition meeting technology
 "Asian Games 2023")
Indian flag bearers Lovlina Borgohain and Harmanpreet Singh at the Asian Games 2023. Photo: X
The 19th edition of the Asian Games was officially announced ‘open’ on Saturday, September 23, 2023, with a glittering opening ceremony at the Hangzhou Olympics Sports Centre Stadium. The Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony which began at 5:30 PM IST was a mesmerising mix of Chinese tradition and culture.
Check Asian Games 2023 LIVE UPDATES of India events on September 24, 2023
How did the opening ceremony move?
Various reports have claimed that the ceremony will be two hours long and begin with a 40-minute parade of athletes from the 45 National Olympic Committees. Formal proceedings will follow it, and then a 45-minute cultural performance.
No Fireworks at the Asian Games opening ceremony
Traditionally a cultural hub of crackers and fireworks, China has decided to say no to them for the Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony. They were the major attractions at the Beijing Olympics and Guangzhou Asian Games in 2008 and 2010, respectively. This time, though, they have been replaced. In the end though, fireworks were seen over Hanghzhou's sky though.
Check Asian Games full India schedule and match timings (IST) here
Check Asian Games full India schedule and match timings (IST) here
"The opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games will break the tradition of having fireworks performance, as we are sticking to a green philosophy in hosting the event," said Sha Xiaolan, the general director of the Asian Games opening ceremony.
Who are India’s flag bearers at the Asian Games opening ceremony?
Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Olympic medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain were the flag-bearers of the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou today.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) decided on Wednesday to have joint flag-bearers for the continental showpiece.
A total of 655 Indian athletes are competing in the Asian Games this time, which is the largest contingent ever
However, Chinese athourities issuing stapled visas to three India athletes, hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, comes as a major dampener with country's sports ministry Anurag Thakur deciding not to travel to Hangzhou for opening ceremony in protest. Details here
The digital torch relay of the Asian Games 2023
The Asian Games torch relay, which began its journey from Jakarta, Indonesia and has travelled through all participating nations, further traversed through a remarkable journey across 11 cities in Zhejiang Province, namely Huzhou, Jiaxing, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Zhoushan, Taizhou, Wenzhou, Lishui, Jinhua and Quzhou, before returning to Hangzhou on Wednesday to culminate its final leg.
To align with the Games' theme of being "Green, Smart, Economical, Ethical," the torch relay ingeniously integrates a digital component. The "Digital Torchbearer" online relay was inaugurated after the Asian Games flame collection ceremony on June 15.
Check Asian Games 2023 latest news updates of Hangzhou 2022 here
Check Asian Games 2023 latest news updates of Hangzhou 2022 here
Thus far, an astounding number of over 100 million people have engaged in the Asian Games' online torch relay, exemplifying the widespread enthusiasm and involvement surrounding this momentous occasion.
What are the major attractions for the Asian Games opening ceremony 2023?
The major attractions of the Asian Games opening ceremony will be Futuristic light shows, troupes dressed in colourful costumes and sets and choreography portraying scenes of Chinese and Asian cultures and history.
They will be the curtain raisers for two weeks of sporting competitions – where over 12,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries and regions will compete in 481 events.
Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony live timings, telecast and streaming details
When will the Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony begin?
The Asian Games opening ceremony will begin at 05:30 pm IST on Saturday, September 23, 2023. It is expected to last at least two hours.
Where can people in India watch the Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony live on TV?
Sony Sports Network, being the official broadcaster of the 2023 Asian Games, will also broadcast the opening ceremony in India on its various channels Sony Ten SD and HD versions.
How can people in India live stream the Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony?
Sony LIV the digital hand of the Sony Sports and Entertainment Network, will live stream the Asian Games opening ceremony in India.
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: A mesmerizing mix of tradition and technology comes to an end
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: It comes to an end
A wonderful mix of everything from AI to culture to athletes and the biggest torch-bearer lighting the Asian Games flame highlighted the closing ceremony which has come to an end with crackers being burst in the skies of Hangzhou.
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: Digital torchbearer lights the flame
The digital torch bearer an Artificial Intelligence-created human body, who represented more than 1 million people who lit the torch digitally on the website, lit the cauldron- the official flames at the Big Lotus adding to the vibes of a great ceremony.
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: The digital torch lighting ceremony
The digital torch-lighting ceremony now takes place as flames are being lit from one to the other. At the same time, an AI version of a torch bearer runs towards the stadium from Hangzhou and he will be joined by former athletes present at the stadium.
The digital torchbearer now crosses the Qiantang river and now joins the athletes at the stadium.
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: Welcome of athletes through dance
The happy smiles of the kids and people representing all ages are performing a welcome dance for nearly 12000 athletes who have arrived at the capital city of Zhejiang province- Hangzhou
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: How many segments are there in the ceremony?
The Hangzhou Asian Games' opening ceremony is underway. The program consists of 15 segments, which include the parade of athletes and the lighting of the cauldron.
The opening day of the Hangzhou Asian Games aligns with the Autumn Equinox, one of China's 24 solar terms. It symbolizes harvest and reunion in the Chinese culture.
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: What can the Bridge contingent of India offer?
As the cultural programs progress during the official opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2023, here’s what the Bridge contingent of India is made up of.
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: Watch short glimpse of entire athletes' parade
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: The beautiful pictures from Hangzhou
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: The show gets better with passage of time
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: Indian contingent in their traditional attires
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: The importance of opening ceremony on September 23
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: Athletes oath taken
Two Chinese athletes take the oath in the name of all athletes after the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is unfurled.
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: Xi Jinping officially declares the games open
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Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony LIVE UPDATES: How the Indian team entered athletes parade
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First Published: Sep 23 2023 | 9:05 AM IST
