The 1978 Asian Games (also known as the VIII Asiad),[1] was a multi-sport event held in Bangkok, Thailand from 9 December to 20 December 1978. Originally, the host city was to be Singapore, but it dropped its plan to host the Games due to financial problems.[2] Then the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, was subsequently chosen to host the games. However Pakistan also dropped its plan to host the games due to conflicts with Bangladesh and India.[2]
A total of 3842 athletes from 25 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) participated in these games, competing in 147 events in 19 sports. Archery and bowling were included for the first time.[1] This medal table ranks the participating NOCs by the number of gold medals won by their athletes.[1]
Athletes from 19 participating NOCs won at least one medal; athletes from 15 of these NOCs secured at least one gold.[1] Athletes from Japan won 70 gold medals, the most of any nation at these Asiad.[1] China finished second in total medals. South Korea finished fourth in total medals. Host nation Thailand finished the games with 42 medals overall (11 gold, 12 silver and 19 bronze), in fifth spot in terms of total medals.[1][3]