The 16th Asiad closed on Saturday. The memory of the fierce competitions will soon fade from people's minds. But what will and should remain for both individuals and the host city of Guangzhou is the spirit many athletes demonstrated in the competitions.

Competitive sport challenges our physical limits, and at the same time, challenges our perseverance. Of course, the champions deserve the medals, but everyone who competed deserves the applause of the audience, as their participation itself is a manifestation of their courage to challenge themselves.

In the men's triathlon, when the athlete from the Mongolian People's Republic finally finished the race almost an hour behind the champion- even after the medals ceremony for the winners had been held - the spectators gave him the warmest applause to express their respect. At this moment, what the spectators experienced seeing his perseverance was invaluable.

A Japanese wrestler took part in the competition only weeks after he was operated on to remove a tumor. Despite this, he won the silver medal. Female cyclist Wong Wan-yiu from Chinese Hong Kong collided with other cyclists and was injured, but she continued and finally stood on the platform to receive the silver medal. Spectators saw the bruises on her face and were moved by her courage to continue regardless of her injuries.

For us, the spectators, sports are not just for fun. We also derive the strength and courage from them to tackle the difficulties and frustrations we encounter in life. For individuals, whether rich or poor, overcoming difficulties is always a part of life.

That explains why many people love to watch sports, they love to watch people overcome adversity. And they love winners, as no one wants to be a loser on the battlefields of life. Yet, sports competitions like the Asian Games tell us that losing a game does not mean the loss of dignity.

Medals go only to a small number of athletes. To most athletes, participation itself is important and fulfilling the competition to one's satisfaction makes the difference.

The same is true of an ordinary individual. If one has tried his or her best to attain a life goal, it is not that important whether the goal is realized or not.

For the city of Guangzhou, the first provincial capital to host such a regional sporting event. The desire and efforts the athletes have shown in their determination to be faster, higher and stronger should leave the city with a great feeling of spiritual wealth.

The vigor the city has received from this event, the knowledge of what its challenges are, and how to overcome them to build a harmonious city, is more important than the success of the Games itself. This is what the city government needs to realize.