The 1994 Asian Games also known as XII Asiad were held from October 2 to October 16, 1994 in Hiroshima, Japan. The main theme of this edition was to promote peace and harmony among Asian nations. It was emphasized by the host because the venue was the site of the first atomic bomb attack in 1945.
This edition of the Asian Games saw two additions. One is the addition of the return of Cambodia, surviving years of civil strife, made her come back to the Asian Games after 20 years’ absence. The other one is the addition of five Central Asian countries newly independent from the former Soviet Union: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Hiroshima Asian Games was the first to be held in a non-capital city. Due to the First Gulf War, Iraq was suspended from the games. Also, this was the only Asian Games to have a male-female pair as a mascot.
There were a total number of 6,828 athletes and officials involved, from 42 countries, with a total number of 34 events. Debut sports at this edition of the Asiad were baseball, karate and modern pentathlon.
Read more about 1994 Asian Games: Mascot, Participating Nations, Sports, Calendar, Medal Table, Doping Scandal
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