1974 Asian Games
The 7th Asian Games (Persian: بازی‌های آسیایی VII), also known as Tehran 1974 (Persian: تهران ۱۹۷۴), were held from 1 to 16 September 1974 in Tehran, Iran. The Aryamehr Sports Complex was built for the Games. This marked the first time the Asian Games were hosted in the Middle East. Tehran, the capital of Iran, played host to 3,010 athletes coming from 25 countries/NOCs, the highest number of participants since the inception of the Games. Fencing, gymnastics and women's basketball were added to the existing disciplines. The games were known for the use of state-of-the-art technology, from synthetic track to photo-finish cameras. Starting in 1962, the Games were hit by several crises. First, the host country Indonesia, refused to permit the participation of Israel and the Republic of China (Taiwan) due to political and religious issues. As a result, the IOC removed its sponsorship of the Games and terminated Indonesia as one of the IOC members. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), also removed their recognition of the Games. In 1970, South Korea dropped its plan to host the Games due to a national security crisis; however, the main reason was the financial crisis, forcing the previous host Thailand to administer the Games again in Bangkok using funds transferred from South Korea. Prior to the Games, Japan was asked to host, but declined due to Expo '70 in Osaka. This edition also marked the first time the Games were broadcast on television throughout the world. Athletics was one of the most popular disciplines of these games. Reza Entezari, an Iranian runner, won silver medals in the 400 meters and 800 meters competitions, as well as bronze in the 4 x 400 metres relay. = On 11 and 12 January 1968, a meeting was organised in Bangkok, involving the representatives of nine Asian National Olympic Committees. The framework of the meeting was set up in another meeting held on 1 September 1970 during the first Bangkok Asian Games. Tehran was selected as host city after defeating Kuwait City and Tel Aviv. The responsibility of organising the Seventh Asian Games was assigned to a special committee headed by Amir Abbas Hoveida, then Prime Minister of Iran. The main venues for the 1974 Asian Games was inside the multi-purpose sport complex– Aryamehr Sports Complex. The stadium was designed by Abdolaziz Farmanfarmaian and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and rupees 100,000 persons were required for the full construction, which was completed on 1 April 1971. The stadium was named forAryamehr, meaning the light of Aryans, in reference to Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, then king of Iran. Aryamehr Sport Complex – Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastics, Field hockey, Football, Volleyball, Shooting, Table tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling Amjadieh Sport Complex – Badminton and Football Mohammad Reza Shah Stadium – Boxing Shahanshahi Club – Shooting and Tennis Apadana Stadium – Football Amjadieh International Stadium – Football = On 1 September 1974, the Seventh Asian Games were officially opened. The list of the guests included— Shah of Iran Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi, then Prime Minister of Iran Amir Abbas Hoveida, cabinet members of Iranian Government, President of Israel Ephraim Katzir, President of South Korea Park Chung Hee, King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, diplomatic corps and representatives of participating Asian NOCs. The Aryamehr Stadium was filled with an estimated 100,000 spectators. After a speech by the president of Asian Games Federation, HRH Yadavendra Singh, Mohammad Reza Shah officially opened the Games. The ceremony featured a card stunt performed by students of Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. = The Asian Games Federation conference, which was held ten months before the Games, decided to expel the Republic of China (Taiwan) from the games and accepted the entry of the People's Republic of China. The Arab nations, Pakistan, China and North Korea refused to play with Israel in tennis, fencing, basketball and football. This was the last time Israel competed in the Asian Games. Number of athletes by National Olympic Committees (by highest to lowest) In the following calendar for the 1974 Asian Games, each blue box represents an event competition, such as a qualification round, on that day. The yellow boxes represent days during which medal-awarding finals for a sport were held. The numeral indicates the number of event finals for each sport held that day. On the left, the calendar lists each sport with events held during the Games, and at the right, how many gold medals were won in that sport. There is a key at the top of the calendar to aid the reader. The top ten ranked NOCs at these Games are listed below. The host nation, Iran, is highlighted. * Host nation (Iran) In September 1974, the national teams of Iran and Israel faced each other in the final of the soccer tournament, which was seen by some Iranians and Israelis, especially the high classes and middle classes as a symbol of sympathy of the two countries. This competition was held at Arya Mehr stadium in the presence of Shah of Iran; Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and queen of Iran; Farah Pahlavi, it was a symbol of the friendship between two countries. The Iranian national team, with the support of their fans, eventually won due to an own goal by Israeli defender Itzhak Shum and this victory was celebrated as a national event with Israelis on the streets of Tehran, Isfahan and Kerman. 1976 AFC Asian Cup 1968 AFC Asian Cup www.ocasia.org "Champions of Asia" Anthem of 1974 Asian Games in Tehran (Video)