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Asian Winter Games Close

Asian Winter Games Close

Premier Wen Jiabao on February 4 declared the close of the Sixth Asian Winter Games in Changchun, Jilin Province. The games began when President Hu Jintao announced the opening of competition on January 28. This year’s event featured teams from all 45 members of the Olympic Council of Asia for the first time.

China dominated the overall medal tally with a record 19 gold, 19 silver and 23 bronze medals. Japan and the Republic of Korea ranked second and third in the gold medal count with 13 and 9 each.

The crystal, ice and snowy wonderland that is Northeast China was portrayed during the closing ceremony’s performance, “Eternal Asia.” The performance emphasized China’s harmonious relations with other members of the Asian Olympic family. As the games wound down in a gymnasium, the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia was handed over to Almaty, Kazakhstan, which will host the next Asian Winter Games in 2011.