Guangzhou is an experienced organizer of sports events after it successfully held the Women's World Cup in 1991 and the National Games in 2001. After watching the Beijing Olympics in front of their TV sets, Guangzhou residents are looking forward to demonstrating their own enthusiasm for sports, the 2010 Asian Games.

Besides the fever for the game, citizens here want to see some real changes in the city, just like what Beijing has had since the Olympics -- the environment is better, the city is greener, the sky is blue and the water is clearer. They want to see an expanded subway network to ease traffic pressure and renovated gyms and control air pollution to better their health.

All of the games events and training will be scattered over 80 venues in Guangzhou and three nearby cities. Though spectators will have to travel more to enjoy different games, it's expected to act as a strong stimulus to promote public transportation.

"We basically want every district of the city to have some events held there so every citizen of Guangzhou will be able to get involved", said Gu Shiyang, the vice secretary general of the 16th Asian Games Organizing Committee.

Athlete participation is another key element of successful games. Altogether, 14,000 athletes and officials will visit Guangzhou for the Asian Games. Among the 42 events, 14 are non-competitive ones to make the grand event feel more like a party for Asian fans.

It will not be easy for Guangzhou to fulfill all of its goals in the coming two years. But one thing that's for sure is that the 2010 Asian Games will be a great opportunity to upgrade the city physically, culturally and economically.