Official emblem of the 1998 Asian Games.
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Host city | Bangkok, Thailand | ||
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Motto |
Friendship Beyond Frontiers (Thai: มิตรภาพไร้พรมแดน) Mitrp̣hāph rị̂ phrmdæn |
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Nations participating | 41 | ||
Athletes participating | 6,554 (4,454 men, 2,100 women) |
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Events | 376 in 36 sports | ||
Opening ceremony | December 6 | ||
Closing ceremony | December 20 | ||
Officially opened by |
Bhumibol Adulyadej King of Thailand |
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Athlete's Oath | Preeda Chulamonthol | ||
Judge's Oath | Songsak Charoenpong | ||
Torch lighter | Somluck Kamsing | ||
Main venue | Rajamangala National Stadium | ||
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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.
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.
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.