Guides
Every section we cover, with the explainers that go with it.
Ceremonies and identity
Model
- How did the opening ceremony work? The 2009 East Asian Games opening ceremony took place at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on 5 December 2009, featuring an athletes' parade and cultural performances.
- What did the 2009 Games emblem mean? The 2009 East Asian Games emblem combined a stylised dragon with a flame motif, which the organising committee said represented Hong Kong's energy and spirit.
- What music and cultural performances were used? The documented music and cultural performances from the 2009 East Asian Games ceremonies, based on official programmes and archives.
- What role did volunteers play? Thousands of volunteers were recruited and trained by the EAGOC to support venue operations, spectator services and ceremonies during the 2009 East Asian Games.
- What were Dony and Ami? Dony and Ami, a lion and dragon pair, were the official mascots of the 2009 East Asian Games, symbolising Hong Kong's vitality and friendship.
Games overview
Model
- How did the East Asian Games fit regional sport? The Hong Kong 2009 edition was the fifth of six East Asian Games held between 1993 and 2013—a nine-nation sub-regional series dissolved by the OCA and replaced by the East Asian Youth Games.
- What was the 2009 Games schedule? The 2009 East Asian Games ran 5–13 December with 22 sports across nine competition days—the as-executed schedule in the official result book is the definitive record, not provisional pre-Games versions.
- What were the 2009 East Asian Games? The 2009 East Asian Games was a nine-nation, 22-sport regional event held in Hong Kong—a second-tier competition distinct from the Asian Games and not to be confused with the later East Asian Youth Games.
- Which teams competed in Hong Kong 2009? Nine National Olympic Committees competed in Hong Kong 2009: China, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, DPR Korea, and Guam—each named per official records.
- Why did Hong Kong host the Games? Hong Kong bid for the 2009 East Asian Games to accelerate sports infrastructure, elite athlete development, and community engagement—policy aims documented in official bid records.
Legacy and research
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- How much did the Games cost? An explanation of the 2009 East Asian Games cost structure, separating the operating budget from capital works and stating evidential limits.
- How should old sports results be cited? A durable citation and version-checking method for 2009 East Asian Games results, using the official result book as the definitive source.
- What happened to the East Asian Games? The governance decisions that ended the East Asian Games series after 2009 and replaced it with the East Asian Youth Games.
- What was the legacy of Hong Kong 2009? An evidence-based assessment of the 2009 East Asian Games legacy across facilities, experience, and participation, separating documented outputs from claims.
- Where are the 2009 Games records kept? A guide to locating the primary records and archives for the 2009 East Asian Games, including what each source holds and what is missing.
Sports and results
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- How can I verify an athlete's result? The step-by-step workflow to verify an athlete's result from the 2009 East Asian Games using official result books, federation archives, and NOC records.
- What happened in football at the 2009 Games? Match results and tournament structure for the men's football competition at the 2009 East Asian Games, drawn from official result book records.
- Which Hong Kong performances stood out? Athletes from the Hong Kong delegation who won medals at the 2009 East Asian Games, listed by sport and medal from the official result book.
- Which sports were contested in 2009? The official 22-sport programme contested at the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong, drawn from the final result book and distinct from earlier provisional lists.
- Who topped the 2009 medal table? The final official medal table for the 2009 East Asian Games, ranked by gold medals per OCA convention, with explanation of tie-break rules and competitive depth.
Venues
Model
- Can former Games venues be visited today? Most 2009 East Asian Games venues remain public sports facilities, but current access conditions require verification through official operator channels.
- How was Victoria Park used? Victoria Park hosted temporary beach volleyball and street basketball courts for the 2009 East Asian Games, requiring significant overlay to convert the public space.
- What happened at Hong Kong Stadium? The role of Hong Kong Stadium in the 2009 East Asian Games, which hosted football matches but not the opening ceremony, distinguishing 2009 use from present operations.
- Which venues hosted the 2009 Games? The complete official venue list for the 2009 East Asian Games, mapping each of the 22 sports and both ceremonies to its competition site in Hong Kong.
- Which venues were built or upgraded? Several Hong Kong venues were built or upgraded for the 2009 East Asian Games, with works funded separately from the organising committee's operating budget.