How China came to host the 1990 Asian Games, despite building delays and dubious funding methods

“Peking may bid,” ran a South China Morning Post headline on October 2, 1982. “China is actively considering hosting the 1990 Asian Games,” the story continued.

The Asiad was to be the first large-scale international sporting event the country would host but the bid launched an eight-year saga of controversies.

The Post explained in a 1983 article that the location of the 1990 Asiad was to be determined in Seoul, South Korea, which was hosting the 1986 games. However, as an ally of North Korea, Beijing had no diplomatic relations with South Korea at the time and it was not certain China would attend.

A Chinese delegation did attend the Asian Games in Seoul, though, and went on to win the bid to host the 1990 event.

Beijing had pledged 2.5 billion yuan for the Games, to be used to build 16 stadiums and other facilities. However, construc­tion delays meant it was touch-and-go whether facilities would be ready in time for the open­ing ceremony, on September 22, 1990.

“Officials originally hoped the Games sites would be finished in late 1989, but later revised their estimated completion date to April, then to July, and now to September,” the Post reported on July 25, 1990.