| The Korean delegation march into the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium in Yeonhi-dong, Incheon, during the Games' opening ceremony, Friday / Yonhap |
War-torn countries join in hope of harmony
By Yoon Sung-won
INCHEON ― The 17th Incheon Asian Games began Friday under the slogan "Diversity Shines Here," with the hope that the 16-day event will bring peace and harmony throughout Asia.
All 45 member countries of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) have sent delegations to the port city to, including war-torn countries and North Korea, the world's most reclusive regime.
| Kim Min, an elementary school student and rhythmic gymnast hopeful, performs with a metal hoop |
The Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) said, "This year's games stress peace with no conflict among ideologies, religions and ethnic groups. We will communicate with one another with harmony and respect instead."
North Korea, which was drawing the most attention even before the games began, has sent a team for the first time since the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
Viewed alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's enthusiasm for sports and the team's aim of winning more than 10 golds to finish in the top 10, the North's participation may signal a positive sign for peace on the divided peninsula.
Several Middle Eastern countries, which are under threat of warfare, are also attending the event.
| President Park Geun-hye, right, waves her hand to the audience / Yonhap |
Palestinians have long-suffered from bloodshed from bombardments and skirmishes with Israel and the country failed to join in the previous Asiad in Guangzhou, China, in 2010.
This year, Palestine has sent 56 athletes who will participate in games such as basketball, judo and track-and-field events.
Syria has also been in a bloody civil war between government forces and armed rebels for the past 41 months. People in Syria and Iraq also live in fear and panic due to the increasing violence of a paramilitary group called the Islam State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Despite troubling times, Iraq and Syria have sent 63 and 30 athletes respectively, hoping to console and cheer its people with sports. The Syrians will participate in wrestling, karate and the triathlon.
| dancers perform on the illuminated floor with projections showing greetings in different Asian languages. / Yonhap |
Other countries including India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, have also sent teams amid ongoing troubles.
Meanwhile, three countries in Northeast Asia ― China, South Korea and Japan ― are likely to compete for the top spots, putting aside their decades-long territorial disputes.
China has sent the largest contingent ― 1,322 people, including athletes and officials. South Korea has a team of 1,068, closely followed by Japan's 1,063.
A total of 13,855 athletes and officials will pack the port city.
"I hope you can all build strong friendships and memories, and experience each other's culture during the competition," said Lee Elisa, the head of the athletes' village, at a welcoming ceremony on Thursday.
"I believe that clean and fair play, which is the most important part of all sports, will deliver deep hope to 4.5 billion Asians watching the Asiad."