The Third East Asian Games will be held in Osaka of Japan from May 19 to 27 in the year 2001, and there will be 15 medal events and two exhibition events.

The decision was made at the 15th meeting of the East Asian Games Executive Board, which was held here on Sunday, according to a press release issued by the Macao Olympic Committee on Monday.

The medal events will include swimming, track and field, basketball, bowling, boxing, football, gymnastics, handball, judo, soft tennis, Taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu. The two exhibition events are rowing and hockey.

The meeting has decided that Australia will take part in the Third East Asian Games as an observer. In addition, the 16th meeting of the East Asian Games Executive Board will be held in Hong Kong, China, next year around the time when the Olympic Games is held.