DOHA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Following is a brief history of the Asian Games:

    Delhi 1951

    Eleven countries and regions participated in the 1st Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951 to take part in only six sports.

    Manila 1954

    The 2nd Asian Games highlighted the first signs of growth, with eight additional countries and regions taking part, bringing the tally to 19 competing countries and regions. Although cycling was dropped, there were now eight sports on the program, with the addition of boxing, shooting and wrestling.

    Tokyo 1958

    Numbers continued to grow, with a record 1,422 athletes competing; tennis, volleyball, table tennis, cycling and hockey increased the sports tally to 13. For the first time, the torch relay took place, adding ceremonial flair to the proceedings. Japan, hosting the event for the first time, continued its domination of the Games by taking its fair share of gold medals and topping the medals table.

    Jakarta 1962

    For political reasons, the number of participating countries and regions fell to 16. India made a return to near the top of the medals table, finishing second, as they had done when hosting the original Games 11 years earlier.

    Bangkok 1966

    Eighteen countries and regions participated and the Games were a huge success as competitors reveled in Bangkok's lively atmosphere. The hosts entered the top three of the medals table for the first time.

    Bangkok 1970

    The 6th Asian Games returned to Bangkok, because South Korea, for political and financial reasons, could not host the Games. Thais, still enthralled by the exciting atmosphere of four years earlier, were ecstatic about hosting the event again. In a repeat performance of its first Games, the host nation finished third in the medals table.

    Tehran 1974

    This was the largest Asian Games at the time with 25 countries and regions taking part. Fencing and gymnastics were added to the list of sports for the first time. For the seventh consecutive Asian Games, Japan finished top of the medals table.

    Bangkok 1978

    The Thai capital hosted the games for a third time. As had happened eight years previously, Bangkok had to come to the rescue when both Singapore and Islamabad pulled out as hosts for financial and political reasons. Archery and bowling were added, which helped boost the number of competitors to more than 3,800 athletes. Japan again finished top of the medal table, but China and South Korea were closing the gap, with Japanese domination approaching its end.

    New Delhi 1982

    The 9th Asian Games returned to its roots for the biggest Games in history, with more than 4,500 competitors from 33 countries and regions taking part. While fencing and bowling events were dropped, equestrian, rowing, handball and golf were new sports to the Games. Japan was finally toppled by China in the medal table, the Chinese winning four more gold medals than the Japanese.

    Seoul 1986

    South Korea began its preparation for hosting the 1988 Olympics with the arrival of the 10th Asian Games, when nearly 5,000 athletes competed. For the first time, the Games came under the control of the Olympic Council of Asia. With an even bigger event to come two years later, media interest in the Games was more intense than ever. Martial arts played a more prominent part in the program, with the introduction of judo and taekwondo. China topped the medals tally for the second time in succession, while the previously all-conquering Japanese dropped to third place.

    Beijing 1990

    China hosted the event for the first time, with 37 countries and regions participating in 27 events. Taekwondo, included for the first time in the previous Games, was excluded, along with equestrian events. Boxing, canoeing, kabaddi, wushu and sepak takraw were all introduced. China reveled in being the host nation and again took first place in the medals table.

    Hiroshima 1994

    For the first time, the Games were not held in a capital city, and with 6,828 athletes from 42 countries and regions participating in 34 events, it was the biggest Games until that time. Former republics of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were also introduced for the first time. Baseball, karate, modern pentathlon and tennis were added to the list of sports. Being the host nation did not help Japan return to the top of the medals chart, as China again finished first.

    Bangkok 1998

    The Games returned to Thailand for a fourth time. Rugby, billiards, snooker and squash were added. However, despite being hosts, Thailand could not break into the top three medal-winners as they had done in the 5th and 6th Asian Games, failing to break the China, South Korea and Japan stranglehold.

    Busan 2002

    Like with Hiroshima eight years earlier, a venue outside a capital city was chosen. With 44 countries and regions now involved, the 14th Asian Games featured 38 sports and 420 events. China topped the medals table for the sixth consecutive Games.

    Doha 2006

    Doha 2006 is the largest Asian Games ever with 45 countries and regions taking part in 39 sports and 424 events. This is the first time the Asian Games has been hosted in the GCC region.