 | |
| Host city | Bangkok, Thailand |
|---|---|
| Nations | 25 |
| Athletes | 3,842 |
| Events | 199 in 19 sports |
| Opening | 9 December 1978 |
| Closing | 20 December 1978 |
| Opened by | Bhumibol Adulyadej King of Thailand |
| Athlete's Oath | Preeda Chullamondhol [1] |
| Torch lighter | Panomkorn Pladchurnil [1] Ratchaneewan Bulakul |
| Main venue | National Stadium |
| Website | ocasia.org (archived) |
The 8th Asian Games (Thai : กีฬาเอเชียนเกมส์ครั้งที่ 8), also known as Bangkok 1978 (Thai : กรุงเทพมหานคร 1978), were held from 9 to 20 December 1978, in Bangkok, Thailand. Originally, the host city was Singapore but Singapore dropped its plan to host the Games due to financial problems. Then Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, was decided to host the 8th Games. But Islamabad also dropped its plan to host the Asian Games due to conflicts with Bangladesh and India. The Imperial State of Iran withdrew because of the Iranian revolution.
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Thailand offered to help and the Asiad therefore was held in Bangkok. On the political front, Israel was expelled from the Asian Games. A total number of 3,842 athletes, coming from 25 countries, competed in these Asian Games. Debuting sports were archery and bowling. [2]
