First broadcast November 2006
Qatar may be among Asia's smallest nations in terms of its size, but when the Asian Games get underway in the country's capital Doha on 1 December, it will be on a scale never previously seen in the event's 55-year history.
The oil-rich gulf state has invested over US$2.8 billion in this 15th Asian Games, which will involve more nations, more sports and more athletes than ever before.
In this two-part series Richard Fleming looks at this magnificent sporting spectacle and its history.
Part One: The history of the games
In the 55 years since the Asian games began, the continent's political make-up and geographical landscape have altered dramatically several times.
In recent - and arguably more troubled - times, this event has become perhaps the one united face of Asia, bringing together many nations to display the continent's sporting prowess.
In the first part of this series, Richard Fleming plots the path of the games. Like the continent itself, how have they been affected by politics, religion and gender equality?
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