Athens - A record-breaking medal haul confirmed Asia's emergence as the sporting world's rising superpower, Olympic chief Jacques Rogge declared on Sunday.
A powerful display from China, a resurgent campaign from Japan and strong showings from other nations such as South Korea and Thailand ensured that Athens will be remembered as the Asian games, Rogge said.
"What we have seen here in Athens is the awakening of Asia," Rogge told a news conference ahead of Sunday's closing ceremony.
Rogge said the performances of Asia at the Olympics signalled a shift in the balance of power.
Established nations would have to fight to avoid being overtaken at future games.
"This is the games where Asia was truly awakened.
This is a strong sign that Asian countries will be at full strength in Beijing in four years time," Rogge said.
"The traditional powers of the Olympics will have to work very, very hard to maintain their present positions.
"This has been an extremely pleasant trend for us to see."
With 17 more titles to be decided on Sunday, China's total medal tally stands at 62 - including 31 golds - placing the Asian giants second only behind the United States for their highest finish at an Olympics.
China came to Athens aiming to consolidate its position from Sydney as the third most powerful Olympic nation behind the United States and Russia, but the Russians have been left far behind with just 23 gold medals.
And China has a strong chance to extend its record-breaking feats with another gold on the last day of the Games, with Chen Zhong a favourite to defend her crown in the women's over-67kg heavyweight taekwondo competition.
China Olympic Committee (COC) President Yuan Weimin said the 407-strong delegation had surpassed its pre-games expectations.
"We have comprehensively realised our targets and accomplished our task successfully with good sportsmanship," Yuan said.
He said China's decision to send a youthful squad of athletes to the Olympics in order to groom a new crop of stars for the 2008 Beijing Games had also been vindicated.
"We have completed the transition from the old to the new generation," said Yuan, noting that seven of China's gold medallists were under 20.
The feats of China's Olympians were the subject of breathless eulogies in the country's media on Sunday.
"It's a new milestone for Chinese sports. Today is a holiday for the Chinese people," China's state-run Xinhua news agency proclaimed in an editorial.
Japan meanwhile was poised to equal its record haul, with news that Koji Murofushi stood to be awarded the hammer throw gold with the likely disqualification of Hungary's Adrian Annus for a doping offence.
Thailand, with three golds, was also celebrating its best ever Olympic performance, along with Taiwan, who won their first ever gold medals with two titles in Taekwondo. - Sapa-AFP
