Applause Greets North Korea at Incheon Opening Ceremony

(ATR) North Korea received the most rousing cheer from the crowd, outside the host country, upon entered the opening ceremony of the 2014 Asian Games.

The South Korean fans cheered and waved flags as the delegation emerged from the tunnels of Incheon Main Stadium.

North Korea’s participation in the games was in doubt for a time given the tensions between the two countries. North Korea sent a 273-person delegation to Incheon.

The four-hour ceremony featured traditional Korean dance performances and a journey under the theme of "A United Asia," which would begin in Incheon after the Games.

Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahal Al-Sabah and Incheon 2014 Organizing Committee president Kim Young Soo gave opening remarks to the announced crowd of 60,000.

Both speeches compared the multiculturalism present in the port of Incheon to the coming together of all 45 Asian countries for sport and called upon the athletes to be united as proud Asian citizens.

IOC president Thomas Bach and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye were in attendance for the ceremony. Park officially opened the 17th Asiad after Sheikh Ahmad’s remarks.

First Medals Awarded Saturday

A total of 18 gold medals will be up for grabs on Saturday, the first full day of competition of the 2014 Asian Games.

Synchronized swimming, track cycling, equestrian, fencing, judo, shooting, weightlifting, and wushu will award athletes medals on the first day.

During the games, 439 gold medals will be awarded in 36 sports in Incheon.

Written by Aaron Bauerin Incheon

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