Full list of Asian countries that have hosted Summer Olympics

Asian countries has hosted a total of four editions.

The Summer Olympics is the world’s premier sporting event that has traveled across the globe to unite nations in the spirit of athletic competition. Over the years, various Asian countries have had the distinct honor of hosting this extraordinary spectacle, showcasing their unique cultures and landscapes to the world.

These nations have welcomed thousands of athletes and spectators from across the planet to foster a sense of international camaraderie and celebrate human excellence in sports.

In this article, we will focus on three countries that have served as hosts for the Summer Olympics in Asian history.

Tokyo: 1964, 2021

Japan’s historical involvement in the Olympic Games has been marked by both enthusiasm and challenges. While Tokyo eagerly pursued the opportunity to host the 1940 Olympics, it ultimately yielded to Helsinki due to Japan’s invasion of China.

Tragically, the Games were canceled altogether due to the onset of World War II. Nevertheless, Japan’s aspirations for Olympic hosting were realized in 1964 when Tokyo was selected as the venue for the 18th Summer Olympics.

Also Read: Top five countries yet to host Summer Olympics

This international multi-sport event held tremendous significance for catalyzing Japan’s post-World War II economic growth. It also marked the first time the Summer Olympic Games were held in Asia. In the same year, Tokyo also hosted the Summer Paralympics, which attracted over 5,500 participants from 94 nations who competed across 19 sports.

Furthermore, it was during the 1964 Games that a native Japanese sport, ‘Judo,’ was introduced to the Olympic stage.

Tokyo’s Olympic legacy continued as the host of the Summer Olympics 2021, following a postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This second hosting reaffirmed Tokyo’s status as a global sporting hub by making it the first city and Japan the first country in Asia to host the Summer Olympics twice.

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Seoul: 1988

The 1988 Summer Olympics, recognized as the XXIV Olympiad was held in Seoul, South Korea. This marked a historic milestone as South Korea became the second Asian nation to host the Summer Olympics following Tokyo’s 1964 Games.

The international sporting extravaganza featured participation from a remarkable 158 nations, with a grand total of 8,391 athletes converging in Seoul to compete across 23 diverse sports.

Beijing: 2008

The 2008 Summer Olympics, known as the XXIX Olympiad, took the global stage by storm when they unfolded in Beijing, China. This landmark event marked China’s debut as an Olympic host. The nation thus joined the ranks of Japan and South Korea as the third Asian country to host the Summer Games.

With a grand total of 10,942 athletes hailing from 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) competing across 28 diverse sports, these Olympics exemplified the international spirit of sportsmanship. Beijing’s selection as the host city in 2001, triumphing over strong bids from Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka, highlighted China’s dedication to the Olympic movement.

The nation spared no effort by extensively promoting the Games and investing heavily in cutting-edge sports facilities and transportation systems.

The event featured 31 venues, 12 of which were newly constructed specifically for the 2008 Games, making it one of the most expensive Summer Games to date.

Looking ahead, India is poised to make history as the fourth Asian country to host the Olympics. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent confirmation of India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, the nation’s enthusiasm for this quadrennial global sports extravaganza shines brightly.

The significance of this announcement was underscored by the fact that India, after four decades, hosted the International Olympic Committee’s meeting in Mumbai. Furthermore, India’s willingness to host the 2029 Youth Olympics with the IOC’s constant support is a stepping stone for India’s journey towards becoming an Olympic host nation and will strengthen the bond between Asia and the global Olympic movement.

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