The exclusion of bodybuilding from this year's East Asian Games (EAG) has not affected preparations for the biggest multi-sports event to be hosted by Hong Kong, organisers say.
They announced details of the torch relay and 100-day countdown for the showpiece to be held from December 5-13.
The Games organisers have decided to drop bodybuilding due to a lack of agreement between the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness and the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation on the appointment of technical officials and judges.
Bodybuilding was to be included in the EAG for the first time this year. Despite the cancellation, the EAG will be the biggest ever in terms of the number of sports and athletes. More than 3,000 athletes from nine countries and regions will vie for 262 gold medals in 22 sports.
According to a spokesman for the EAG, the omission of bodybuilding has not hindered preparatory work for the sporting extravaganza. 'Everything is on schedule,' he said.
The programme and lineup for the 100-day countdown and torch relay were announced last week. Both activities will be held on August 29 and help build the atmosphere in the run-up to the Games, organisers said.