Asian Games 2022 postponed due to rising Covid-19 cases in China, Asian Youth Games cancelled

“The Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee has been very well prepared to deliver the Games on time despite global challenges. However, the above decision was taken by all the stakeholders after carefully considering the pandemic situation and the size of the Games,” the OCA said in a statement.

The host city of Hangzhou is less than 200km away from Shanghai, which is facing the worst Covid-19 outbreak, and strict restrictions have been placed, in and around the area, including a lockdown. Meanwhile, the organizers confirmed that all the construction of the venues was completed in April itself. 

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, held in February, were also held in a bio-bubble. The OCA also announced that the third edition of the Asian Youth Games, scheduled to be held in Shantou in December, has been canceled. Other than that, China was also slated to host the World University Games in Chengdu from June 26 to July 7.