The 2010 Asian Games, also known as the XVI Asian Games, was a multi-sport event celebrated in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China from 12 to 27 November 2010, although several events had commenced from 7 November 2010. This was the second time China had hosted the Games, in which Guangzhou was the second Chinese city to host, after Beijing in 1990. A total of 9,704 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) competed in 476 events from 42 sports and disciplines, making it the largest event in the history of the Games. Due to reductions in the number of sports to be contested for the 2014 Asian Games, these Games marked the final time that six non-Olympic events would be held during the Asian Games.
The team sport of Cricket became a medal sport at the 2010 Asian Games. The last time cricket featured in a major multi-sport event was at the 1998 Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The gold medal was won on that occasion by South Africa, who defeated Australia by 4 wickets in the final with New Zealand winning the bronze medal. At a general meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia, held in Kuwait on 17 April 2007, it was announced that cricket would be included as a medal sport in the 2010 Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou. Matches would be played on a Twenty20, 20-overs per side format.
The 2010 Asian Para Games, also known as the First Asian Para Games, was a parallel sport event for Asian athletes with a disability held in Guangzhou, China. Two weeks after the conclusion of the 16th Asian Games, It opened on December 12 and closed on December 19, 2010.
The Asian Para Games also known as Para Asiad is a multi-sport event regulated by the Asian Paralympic Committee that's held every four years after every Asian Games for athletes with physical disabilities. Both events had adopted the strategy used by the Olympic and Paralympic Games of having both games in the same city. However, the exclusion of Asian Para Games from Asian Games host city contract meant that both events run independently of each other. The Games are recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and are described as the second largest multi-sport event after the Paralympic Games.
A Weiqi tournament was held at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou for the first time at an Asiad. The three events in the competition - men's team, women's team and mixed doubles — were held between 20 and 26 November 2010 at the Guangzhou Chess Institute.
Basketball was one of the 42 sports at the 16th Asian Games 2010 at Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The event was held at the 13,000 seat Guangzhou International Sports Arena, Huangpu Gymnasium, Guangti Gymnasium, Ying Dong Gymnasium and Sports and Entertainment Centre.
Football at the 2010 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China from 7 to 25 November 2010. The opening match was played 5 days prior to the opening ceremony. In this tournament, 24 teams played in the men's competition, and 7 teams participated in women's competition.
Handball at the 2010 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China from November 13 to 26, 2010. In this tournament, 11 teams played in the men's competition, and 9 teams participated in the women's competition.
Volleyball at the 2010 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China from November 13 to 27, 2010. In this tournament, 18 teams played in the men's competition, and 11 teams participated in the women's competition. All matches were played at the Guangwai Gymnasium, the Guangyao Gymnasium and the Zhongda Gymnasium.
Athletics at the 2010 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou, China from 21 to 27 November 2010. A total of 47 events were contested – 24 by men and 23 by women – matching the Olympic athletics programme. The 42 track and field events on the programme were hosted at the Aoti Main Stadium while the marathons and racewalking competitions took place around the city's University Town. Sixteen Asian Games records were broken during the seven-day competition.
The Field hockey event at the 2010 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China from 13 November 2010 for Women and 15 November 2010 for Men. In this tournament, 10 teams played in the men's competition, and 7 teams participated in the women's competition. All matches were played at the Aoti Hockey Field.
Table tennis at the 2010 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China from November 13 to 20, 2010. Singles, Doubles, and Team events were held at Guangzhou Gymnasium.
Tennis competitions at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China were held from November 13 to November 23 at the Guangdong Olympic Tennis Centre.
The women's double trap team competition at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China was held on 21 November at the Guangzhou Shotgun Centre.
The women's skeet team competition at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China was held on 23 November at the Guangzhou Shotgun Centre.
The women's trap team competition at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China was held on 19 November at the Guangzhou Shotgun Centre.
The men's trap competition at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China was held on 18 and 19 November at the Guangzhou Shotgun Centre.
The men's trap team competition at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China was held on 18 and 19 November at the Guangzhou Shotgun Centre.
The men's double trap team competition at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China was held on 21 November at the Guangzhou Shotgun Centre.
The men's skeet competition at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China was held on 23 and 24 November at the Guangzhou Shotgun Centre.
