Sporting Asia’s 20-page special on the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 starts here! SPORTING ASIA - DECEMBER 2014 - ISSUE 27 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 INCHEON ASIAN GAmes – the wINDOW ON THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF KOREA By Le Minh Trang, OCA Youth Reporter, Vietnam ith the tagline “Imagine your Korea”, visitors to this Whenever I glance at Korean people, they always flash a bright W magnificent Asian country simply know no boundaries: smile right back to me. Their serene way of life, their carefree they are free to discover and perceive various aspects of South manners and the cordial atmosphere constantly present around Korea in their own way. them never failed to comfort me. I chose to experience South Korea is, undeniably, a harmonious combination of Korea as an OCA Youth antiquity and modernity. In the heart of Seoul - the capital city Reporter during the - lies the ancient palace Gyeongbokgung, rich in history and Incheon Asian Games elaborate in architecture. Not far from the past royal residence and, simultaneously, as a is the new N Seoul Tower, which offers a panoramic and breath- traveller who always has taking view of the city. The past blends in perfectly with the a compulsion to set foot present. on every corner of the world. On the other hand, Incheon is a dynamic, ever-changing new city. Incheon is highly advanced, with the commuting system My trip lasted for eight for the disabled running days. Although it was uninterruptedly, and the hectic a short period of time, yet well-organised main it still left me ample international airport. unforgettable memories. My most memorable experi- When I first arrived in Korea, what instantly took me by ence was unquestionably the surprise was how amiable and hospitable the Koreans were. Youth Reporter Project. Not Throughout the week I came across lots of Koreans who were only did the project grant me always more than willing to help me: a married couple offered opportunities to watch the to take me to famous tourist attractions; a middle-aged man games live from the best angle on the subway train gave up his seat to me; the mother of a in the stadium, it also taught Korean OCA Youth Reporter instructed me how to use the me about the latent aspects subway and drove me to the best local shopping malls. of journalism I never under- Workmen decorate the Oakwood Premier Incheon at Songdo - OCA HQ for the Incheon Asian Games. The Team Welcome Ceremony for Japan at Flag Plaza. Page 08 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 INCHEON ASIAN GAmes – the wINDOW ON THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF KOREA Incheon 2014 Facts and Figures stood before. I got to fa- miliarise myself with the Mixed Zone, where media Opening Ceremony: September 19 interview athletes immedi- Closing Ceremony: October 4 ately after competition, the Opened by: Press Conference with an Park Geun-Hye, President, English interpreter, where Republic of Korea all international reporters Closed by: Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al can raise questions, and Sabah, President, OCA myriad other journalistic Slogan: Diversity Shines Here procedures. Sports: 36 Events: From my experience, I 439 gathered that it takes a NOCS: 45 lot of conscientiousness to Athletes: 9,501 be a good journalist. Paying attention to details and doing Male: 5,823 research in advance is one thing, but putting passion into Female: 3,678 every article is another thing, as sometimes fatigue takes Media: 9,700 over enthusiasm. Learning how to tactfully word the smartest Broadcasting: questions as well as how to politely approach interviewees 6,500 benefited me abundant improvement in social skills and Press/Photographers: 3,200 critical thinking. By virtue of the brilliant project, I was also Ticket Sales: 1.25 million able to make new friends who will remain friends for ever. Ticket Revenue: US$27 million Accumulative TV viewership: 1.3 billion South Korea in general and the OCA Youth Reporter Project in Transport: 2,048 vehicles, comprised particular was a unique experience that I felt endlessly fortunate to be a part of. The trip left me with lasting impressions, which of 902 limousines, 363 will always be gleeful and remarkable when I look back on mini-buses and 783 buses my eight marvellous days at the Incheon Asian Games 2014. *Figures provided by Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee The eye-catching Main Press Centre - home to over 3,000 reporters Victory Ceremony attendants at the 17th Asian Games. and photographers Page 09 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 final medals table – Incheon 2014 Men Women Mixed Total Rank Rank NOC Total Total Total Total by Total 1 CHN 67 44 39 150 83 62 41 186 1 2 3 6 151 108 83 342 1 2 KOR 38 40 52 130 35 28 29 92 6 3 3 12 79 71 84 234 2 3 JPN 33 40 41 114 13 33 31 77 1 3 5 9 47 76 77 200 3 4 KAZ 19 12 16 47 9 11 17 37 0 0 0 0 28 23 33 84 4 5 IRI 19 11 11 41 2 7 7 16 0 0 0 0 21 18 18 57 5 6 THA 4 3 11 18 8 3 17 28 0 1 0 1 12 7 28 47 8 7 PRK 4 7 2 13 6 4 12 22 1 0 0 1 11 11 14 36 11 8 IND 6 6 17 29 4 4 19 27 1 0 0 1 11 10 36 57 5 9 TPE 2 8 11 21 8 9 11 28 0 1 1 2 10 18 23 51 7 10 QAT 9 0 3 12 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 10 0 4 14 19 11 UZB 6 11 17 34 3 3 4 10 0 0 0 0 9 14 21 44 9 12 BRN 3 4 3 10 6 2 1 9 0 0 0 0 9 6 4 19 17 13 HKG 3 7 10 20 3 4 12 19 0 1 2 3 6 12 24 42 10 14 MAS 2 7 9 18 3 7 5 15 0 0 0 0 5 14 14 33 13 15 SIN 1 2 8 11 3 4 5 12 1 0 0 1 5 6 13 24 14 16 MGL 3 3 5 11 2 1 7 10 0 0 0 0 5 4 12 21 15 17 INA 1 2 4 7 3 2 4 9 0 1 3 4 4 5 11 20 16 18 KUW 3 5 3 11 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 5 4 12 20 19 KSA 2 2 1 5 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 3 3 1 7 21 20 MYA 1 0 1 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 4 27 21 VIE 0 3 12 15 1 7 13 21 0 0 0 0 1 10 25 36 11 22 PHI 1 3 7 11 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 11 15 18 23 PAK 0 1 3 4 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 5 25 23 TJK 1 1 2 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 5 25 25 IRQ 1 0 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 4 27 25 UAE 0 0 3 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 4 27 27 SRI 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 33 28 CAM 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 36 29 MAC 0 2 0 2 0 1 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 7 21 30 KGZ 0 2 3 5 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 6 23 31 JOR 0 2 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 4 27 32 TKM 0 0 4 4 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 6 23 33 BAN 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 31 33 LAO 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 31 35 AFG 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 33 35 LIB 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 33 37 NEP 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 36 Page 10 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 China’s medal machine rumbles on lympic super power China continued to dominate the O Asian Games at Incheon 2014, winning 34 per cent of the gold medals on offer across 36 sports and finishing more than 100 medals clear of the second-ranked team in total medals, Korea. China amassed 151 gold medals in 439 events, with 108 silver and 83 bronze for a total of 342. Korea won the race against Japan for second place in the table by collecting 79 gold, 71 silver and 84 bronze for a total of 234. Japan came in third on both counts – gold and total medals – with 47-76-77 for 200, while Kazakhstan ended fourth with 28- 23-33 for 84.