New Year’s Day Message from OCA President,
HE Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah
Tokyo 2020 will display the power of Asia
Kuwait City, January 1, 2020: On behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia, I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2020.
This is a special year for the Olympic Movement, of course, with the Olympic Games coming to Tokyo for the second time in history.
The Tokyo Games, running from July 24 to August 9, will also mark the second leg of the so-called "Asian Hat Trick" following the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea, in 2018 and ahead of the next Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.
We are very proud that Asia has become such an established and dynamic partner in the Olympic Movement and we are confident that Tokyo 2020 will add to the rich legacy of the Olympic Games and, at the same time, display the power and unity of Asia.
At this point we would like to congratulate Tokyo 2020 on their meticulous planning and preparations and everything is in place for another memorable Olympic Games in the Japanese capital, just like in 1964.
Our Asian National Olympic Committees are also in the final stages of preparation and the OCA hopes they can qualify as many athletes as possible for Tokyo 2020 and build on their performance at our last Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018.
With an Asian stage for the next summer Games, we are sure the Asian athletes will represent their NOC and the continent with exemplary Olympic spirit and fair play. We also hope for a doping-free Tokyo 2020 and will continue to work with the relevant authorities to protect the clean athletes and create a level playing field in all sports.
The OCA will also be hosting a major event in 2020 – our sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, from November 28 to December 6.
This will be our first international multi-sport event since the 18th Asian Games and I can assure you that Sanya 2020 will be a big surprise.
With its tropical climate, long sandy bays and luxurious resorts, this "Pearl of the South China Sea" in Hainan Island will be the perfect host for our beach and sea sports festival.
We are in a "win-win" situation as Sanya will be exposed to a new international audience in terms of sports tourism and the OCA will benefit from the experience and expertise of the Chinese organisers in writing another chapter in our success story.
There is much to look forward to in 2020 for the Olympic Movement in Asia.
Happy New Olympic Year!
END
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