Our Privacy Statement & Cookie Policy

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.

I agree

Flame for 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games lit at Sun Island Scenic Area

Sports Scene

01:17

The flame for the 2025 Asian Winter Games was lit at Sun Island Scenic Area in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Monday, with the Opening Ceremony for the ninth edition of the continental competition just 18 days away.

Despite cold temperatures dropping as low as minus-16 degrees Celsius in Harbin, the flame was nonetheless ignited using a convex lens. The lighting ceremony created a stunning effect of merging ice and fire, highlighting the radiant energy of winter sports that spring from challenges and passion.

The ice inside the Olympic Council of Asia's logo concentrated the light to focus on igniting the torch, which features the design theme "Surging" to symbolize the vitality and enthusiasm of the Games, express enthusiasm for winter sports, and honor friendships among athletes from Asia. The torch relay will until February 6, and an online torch relay is also underway.

Harbin will host the Asian Winter Games from February 7-14, featuring six sports, 11 disciplines and 64 events.

A total of 1,275 athletes from 34 nations and regions, including debutants Cambodia and Saudi Arabia, have registered for Harbin 2025, which is likely to boast the most participants in the history of the Asian snow and ice showpiece.

Host country China will have more than 170 athletes taking part in the competition.

Search Trends