1998 Asian Games
The 1998 Asian Games (), officially known as the 13th Asian Games and the XIII Asiad, was an Asian multi-sport event celebrated in Bangkok, Thailand from December 6 to 20, 1998, with 377 events in 36 sports and disciplines participated by 6,554 athletes across the continent. The football event commenced on 30 November 1998, a week earlier than the opening ceremony. Bangkok was awarded the right on September 26, 1990, defeating Taipei, Taiwan and Jakarta, Indonesia to host the Games. It was the first city to hosted the Asian Games for four times, the last three editions  it hosted were in 1966, 1970 and 1978. The event was opened by Bhumibol Adulyadej, the king of Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium. The final medal tally was led by China, followed by South Korea, Japan and the host Thailand. Thailand set a new record with 24 gold medals. In addition, Japanese Athletics Koji Ito was announced as the most valuable player (MVP) of the Games. The games were deemed generally successful with the rising standard of competition amongst the Asian nations. For Thailand, it was one of its remarkable achievement in sports development throughout its modern history. Following the  reason, the National Olympic Committee of Thailand confirmed that Bangkok make an official bid for the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, which was overturned to Southeast Asian counterpart Singapore, and currently in bidding for the 2030 Summer Youth Olympics, along with Chonburi. Bidding process. Three cities bid for the Games. All three, Taipei (Chinese Taipei), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Bangkok (Thailand) submitted their formal bid in 1989. It was the first time that Thailand has presented a bid for host the Asian Games, as Bangkok was the default host of previous three games. The vote was held on September 27, 1990, at  the China Palace Tower Hotel in Beijing, China, during the 9th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly held during the 1990 Asian Games. All 37 members voted, with voting held in secret ballot. It was announced that Bangkok won an Asian Games bid process for the first time. Though the vote results were not released, was leaked that Bangkok won by 20-10-7. After that, Bangkok was the first city to hosted the Asian Games for four times, after the 1966, 1970 and 1978 games and this was the first time that the city have put a bid  for the event. 19 votes were needed for selection. Development and preparation. Costs. According to United Press International news report, preparations for the games including the construction and renovation of three main stadiums and an athletes' village, cost an estimated 6 billion Thai baht (US$167 million). Marketing. Emblem. The Official Emblem of the 13th Asian Games elements from Asia in general and Thailand in particular. It is based on the letter A, representing Asia and Athletes. The Maha Chedi, or pagoda shape, represents Thailand, in particular. The pinnacle of the Maha Chedi symbolises the knowledge, intelligence and athletic prowess  of Thailand's forefathers, which are second to none. The top is part of the OCA logo. Mascot. The official Mascot of the 13th Asian Games is an elephant named Chai-Yo () (a Thai word meaning pleasure, gladness, success, unity and happiness) whose name is a phrase shouted by a group of people to show their unity and solidarity. In Thailand, the elephant is a very distinctive animal which has lived with its people for many generations and is universally admired for its strengths and nobility. The games. Opening ceremony. The opening ceremony started at 17:00 local time on December  6, 1998. It was attended by King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch and President of the OCA Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah. The nations entered in alphabetic order of their country names in Thai during the parade of nations. Participating Nations. National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are named according to their official IOC designations and arranged according to their official IOC country codes in 1998. Demonstration Medal table. The top ten ranked NOCs at these Games are listed below. The host nation, Thailand, is highlighted.