Full steam ahead to Guangzhou 2010

Xu Ruisheng, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou and Executive Deputy Secretary General ofthe Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee, speaks at a press conference of the third Asian Indoor Games in Hanoi.

November 1 - All roads – and seas – are leading to Guangzhou, China, and the 16^th Asian Games in November 2010. This was the message from Games organisers during a press conference at the Main Media Centre of the third Asian Indoor Games in Hanoi on Sunday.

Xu Ruisheng, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou and Executive Deputy Secretary General ofthe Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee, informed the media that the ambitious "Road of Asia" project had visited 34 countries and regions in Asia to promote the next Asian Games.

The tour began in Kuwait – home of the Olympic Council of Asia – in March with the launch of the boat "Cocachin" and has crossed Asia by sea and by land with a 16-car convoy, stopping off to hold press conferences, fun runs and other promotional events.

"We have now completed the Road of Asia maritime route with the support of the OCA," Xu said. "In June it came to Ho Chi Minh City where we received great support from the Vietnam National Olympic Committee.

"The land tour has just visited Central Asia and Mongolia, and now it is heading for Korea and Japan."

"Cocachin" will be on view in Guangzhou in time for the one-year countdown ceremony to the 16^th Asian Games on November 12.

Vice Mayor Xu said organisers had made "great strides" in their preparations, and that most of the major construction work on the competition venues had been completed.

"The venues will be delivered for use from March to June," he added.

Despite the financial crisis, GAGOC has secured 32 sponsors for the Games, which will involve 20,000 athletes and officials from the 45 NOCs in 42 sports played at 70 venues.