The Asian Games began in 1949, succeeding the Far Eastern Championship Games held in Manila, the Philippines, in 1913 and the West Asian Games held in New Delhi, India, in 1934.

The Far Eastern Championship Games were held as the Oriental Olympics in Manila, the Philippines, in 1913, and were participated in by six countries including the Philippines, Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

The second time they were held, the name of the games was changed to the Far Eastern Championship Games, and by 1934, ten Games had been held bi-annually, in Japan, China and the Philippines. For the 11th Games, they were renamed the Oriental Championships and scheduled to be held in Osaka, Japan, but were cancelled due to the Second World War.

The West Asian Games were held in New Delhi, India, in 1934, and were participated in by India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Palestine.

In 1948, when the 14th London Olympic Games were held, six countries including Korea, the Philippines, Myanmar, India, Taiwan and Sri Lanka gathered and decided to host a combined Asian games. This led to the establishment of the AGF (Asian Games Federation) operated by NOC in 1949.

Therefore, it can be said that the Asian Games originated from the Far Eastern Championship Games (the Oriental Olympics) and the West Asian Games.

Shortly after the end of the Second World War, IOC Representatives from 13 Asian Countries were requested by the IOC to have a preliminary discussion on the hosting of the Asian Games during the 14th London Olympic Games in 1948. Six countries, including Korea, the Philippines, Myanmar, India, Taiwan and Sri Lanka, agreed to host games in the Asian region.

The hosting of the first Asian Athletics Games in New Delhi, India, in February 1949 was approved, and the organization of the Asian Association of Athletics Federations was determined. However, the first Asian Athletics Games were not held due to the domestic affairs of India, the host country.

In February 1949, 11 representatives from nine countries gathered together again to have the second assembly, and IOC member G.D. Sondhi of India proposed the adoption of a new name for the games. AGF (Asian Games Federation) was organized under NOC.

The games have experienced multiple periods of turbulences due to political and religious factors, as well as issues related to the AGF Charter and rules. In 1982, the participating countries agreed to organize a permanent body for the improvement of the Games, and turned the AGF, which was a non-permanent body, into the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia). OCA has since hosted the Asian Games for the peace and unity of Asia.

Photos courtesy of Incheon 2014 Organizing Committee.

17th Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee,
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