The Hangzhou Asian Games, scheduled to be held in September, has registered 12,500 athletes, the most ever for an Asian Games, China Youth Network reported on June 24.

“All 45 countries and regions have applied to participate in the Games,” the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee said, adding that “about 12,500 athletes have registered for the Asian Games.” Among the participating countries, China, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea have fielded large teams of more than 600 athletes.

The Asian Games are open to all 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) that are members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), a division of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The organizers’ announcement that 45 countries and territories have applied to participate is a reaffirmation that North Korea will be competing in the Asian Games.

A total of 43 countries and territories have registered athletes in athletics, while 30 countries will compete in 11 sports, including swimming, shooting, weightlifting, and eSports. 한국야동 Soccer has the most athletes registered for a single sport.

Athletics has won the most gold medals at the Asian Games (48).