The 2011 Southeast Asian Games, officially known as the XXVI Southeast Asian Games, was a multi-sport event held from 11 to 22 November 2011 in Palembang and Jakarta, Indonesia. This marked Indonesia's fourth time hosting the biennial regional games, having previously done so in 1979, 1987, and 1997. The games brought together athletes from 11 nations in Southeast Asia for a celebration of sports and regional solidarity.
Host Cities
- Palembang, South Sumatra: The primary host city, featuring the newly developed Jakabaring Sport City, which hosted the majority of events and the opening and closing ceremonies.
- Jakarta, Java: The capital city of Indonesia, serving as a co-host and holding several events, particularly those requiring specialized facilities not available in Palembang.
Development and Preparation
Indonesia was selected as the host of the 26th SEA Games at the SEA Games Federation Council meeting in Laos in 2009. Significant efforts were made to upgrade existing facilities and construct new ones, particularly in Palembang, to ensure the games met international standards. The development of the Jakabaring Sport City was a key project, transforming a previously undeveloped area into a modern sporting complex.Marketing
- Mascot: The official mascot for the 2011 SEA Games was Momo, a Komodo dragon, an endemic Indonesian reptile known for its strength and unique presence. Momo was chosen to symbolize Indonesia's natural heritage and the spirit of the games.
- Slogan: The official slogan was "United We Rise," emphasizing regional unity and the collective aspirations of the participating nations.
- Logo: The logo featured a stylized Garuda, the mythical bird and national emblem of Indonesia, soaring over a depiction of the SEA Games torch, symbolizing the dynamic spirit of sports and Indonesian cultural identity.
The Games
- Opening Ceremony: The opening ceremony was held on 11 November 2011 at the Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium in Jakabaring Sport City, Palembang. It was a spectacular event showcasing Indonesian culture, history, and technological prowess, officiated by then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
- Closing Ceremony: The closing ceremony took place on 22 November 2011 at the same venue, marking the end of the games and passing the torch to the next host nation.
- Participating Nations: All 11 members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation participated:
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Indonesia (Host)
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
- Sports: A total of 44 sports and 545 events were contested, a record number for the SEA Games at the time. This extensive program included both Olympic and non-Olympic sports, allowing the host nation to showcase its strengths in various disciplines. Among the sports featured were popular ones like athletics, swimming, football, badminton, and martial arts, alongside regional sports such as pencak silat and vovinam.
Medal Table
Indonesia, as the host nation, put on a dominant performance, topping the medal table for the first time since 1997.| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indonesia | 182 | 153 | 143 | 478 |
| 2 | Thailand | 141 | 110 | 100 | 351 |
| 3 | Vietnam | 96 | 92 | 100 | 288 |
| 4 | Malaysia | 58 | 50 | 81 | 189 |
| 5 | Singapore | 42 | 45 | 73 | 160 |
| 6 | Philippines | 36 | 56 | 77 | 169 |
| 7 | Myanmar | 16 | 27 | 37 | 80 |
| 8 | Laos | 9 | 12 | 36 | 57 |
| 9 | Cambodia | 4 | 11 | 24 | 39 |
| 10 | Brunei | 0 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| 11 | Timor-Leste | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |