Hangzhou Asian Games Village inaugurated
Hangzhou, Sep 16: The Hangzhou Asian Games Village was inaugurated here on Saturday with acting director general of the Olympic Council of Asia, Vinod Kumar Tiwari, describing it as “beautiful and outstanding” during the opening ceremony. In front of government leaders and officials of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee, Tiwari said he had been visiting Hangzhou for eight years and had always been impressed with the plans and preparations for the 19th edition of the mega event. In particular he praised the “innovative” concept of the village, which will accommodate 20,000 people in three communities: Athletes’ Village, Media Village and Technical Officials’ Village. “Now, just one week before the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games on September 23, I can see all your dreams have become reality – and we are standing here together in a truly magnificent Asian Games Village,” he said. “I would like to thank and congratulate HAGOC for all their hard work and dedication, and I wish all success to the Chinese delegation competing here in the 19th Asian Games.” He added that the Asian Games Village, by accommodating athletes, officials, technical officials and media, highlighted the solidarity and unity of the Olympic movement in Asia and said it was the first of its kind in the history of the Asian Games and even Olympic Games. (PTI)
MotoGP 2023: Safety car and bike arrive for Grand Prix of India
Greater Noida, Sep 16: Olympic 1,500-metre champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen smas With just about a week to go for the country’s first MotoGP race, the safety car and bike that could be deployed if necessary during the Grand Prix of India arrived at the Buddh International Circuit on Saturday. The Grand Prix of India, the biggest motorcycle race to be organised in the country, is scheduled to be held from September 22 to 24. The safety car and bike landed in New Delhi via air freight and were transported to the venue in the early hours of the day, the organisers informed on Saturday. A total of three safety cars including a BMW M5CS will be present at the venue during the races. Its presence is essential to ensure prompt medical assistance in case of an incident on the opening lap. Additionally, the safety car is dispatched to assess track conditions when needed. The rest of the safety cars – BMW M2 (G87), and BMW M3 touring – will land at the venue on Sunday. The safety bike – BMW M 1000 RR – will also be used during the race weekend at the Buddh International Circuit. The safety car is positioned at the rear of the grid at the commencement of a race. During the first lap of the race, it trails the riders before retreating into the pit lane. (AP)
