Participants on Friday – all clad in white tracksuits with red trim – included former swimming world champion Luo Xuejuan and Daniel Zhang, CEO of Hangzhou-based tech giant Alibaba.
“Lots of people were already here when we got here at 6.30am,” said Hangzhou resident Shao Yan, 37.
“I hope the Asian Games will be held smoothly and we have more of these kinds of activities in the future,” she told AFP.
Some in the vast crowds had come from farther afield, including Peng, a tourist from the southern island province of Hainan.
“I felt very excited after watching it,” said Peng, who only gave his surname.
“It shows that our country is very powerful,” he added.
This year’s Asian Games is set to be the largest edition ever with 12,500 athletes from 45 countries and regions.
Source: CNA
