As the flame of the 6th Asian Beach Games flickered out on Thursday in Sanya, etching memories in the hearts and minds of athletes and officials, the tropical tourism paradise in South China's Hainan province added a feather in its cap as a fitting stage for international sporting events.
A grand closing ceremony capped off 10 days of intense competition in 15 disciplines across sand and sea, which recorded the participation of more than 1,700 athletes from 45 countries and regions. Host China dominated the final tally with 14 gold medals, as well as two new world records in speed climbing, to cement the nation's status as a sporting power in Asia.
The games, which showcased some niche disciplines such as beach kabaddi, teqball and dragon boat race, stole the international spotlight not only for Sanya's breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, but also for the quality and organization of its competition venues.
The sun-drenched coastal city tested and honed the skills of emerging young talent for the 20th Asian Games scheduled to take place in Nagoya, Japan, in the fall.
The beach games highlighted Sanya's capability to integrate sports, tourism, culture and lifestyle activities into the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port, with a visa-free policy applicable for 86 countries further facilitating the city's opening-up.
Athletes and officials gave the thumbs-up for Sanya's warm hospitality and great organizational capability, expressing the hope to be able to visit again.
"The games have been very well organized, and I'm thankful for the chance to compete here," said Cherif Samba, a beach volleyball player from Qatar, who along with partner Ahmed Janko retained the men's title on Wednesday with a straight-sets win over an Iranian pair.
"I haven't had the time to explore Sanya properly yet, because we've spent most of our time in the athletes' village. But I've seen many interesting spots, and maybe one day I will come back for a visit," he added.
Saphna Ravichandran, a legal counsel for the Asian Football Confederation from Malaysia, said the Sanya event has helped many people, including her, to see the true picture of China.
Noting that this is her first visit to the country, Ravichandran said China is very different than what "the outside world" makes it to be."Coming to Sanya has really changed my perspective of ... what China really is," she said.
"The people are very warm and friendly — all very welcoming. In Malaysia, we do have similar areas, like beaches and stuff, but it's always different to go out to another country to see what they can offer. So yes, I would love to come back with my family to Sanya," she added.
Raven Faith Alcoseba, a triathlete from the Philippines, praised Sanya for its easy accessibility, modern infrastructure and laid-back vibe, calling the city a must-visit destination.
"The visa-free policy made my trip so smooth. I could just arrive with my passport and then focus entirely on the competition," she said. "After the race, I even had time to go shopping at a duty-free mall, which is a wonderful bonus of being here."
Already popular for its 264 kilometers of pristine coastline and wide sandy beaches, Sanya has now earned the confidence of top officials and further established itself as an ideal host for future international sporting events.
Thomas Bach, former chief of the International Olympic Committee, hailed the beach games as a compelling example of the unifying power of sports and lauded Sanya as a competent host following his visit to the city.
"Hainan, I think, has the intention to attract even more international sports events," said Bach, who is now IOC honorary president for life.
