T

he medal hunt at the 17th Asian Games commences Saturday, following the opening ceremony the day before, with host nation South Korea sending out a message for the need for Asian countries to walk together in their diversity for a bright future.

With some 13,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries, the Asian Games has become the second biggest multi-sport event after the Olympics.

A total of 439 gold medals will be fought for in 36 sports for two weeks until Oct. 4.

As many as 18 gold medals will be on offer in synchronized swimming (1), cycling (2), equestrian (1), fencing (2), judo (4), shooting (4), weightlifting (2) and wushu (2).

Other sports beginning competitions on the day include water polo, badminton, basketball, cricket, handball, hockey, rowing, sepaktakraw, squash, tennis, volleyball and beach volleyball. The soccer competition already started four days prior to the opening ceremony.

'€œThe city of Incheon, the gateway to the world, welcomes all of you,'€ Kim Young-soo, the president of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee, said during the opening ceremony.

He hailed the diversity of Asian nations as a force to win brightness in the future in Asian brotherhood.

During the ceremony, the participating countries paraded with the host delegation taking up the rear.

Performances from Korean celebrities, including rapper Psy and soprano Sumi Jo, who sang '€œSong of Asiad'€, were part of the highlights of the ceremony.

The torch relay, which had toured several cities and countries since it was first lit in India in October 2013, arrived amid a raucous reception from the excited audience inside the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium.

A display of fireworks and the rocking of '€œGangnam Style'€ by Psy rounded off the ceremony while the parading athletes had already slipped away with their minds already on the competition.

The pool is being hailed as the most intriguing arena, with home hero Park Tae-Hwan, the 2008 Olympic champion and two-time 400-meter freestyle world champion, set to become the spoiler of Chinese domination spearheaded by the sensational reigning champion, Sun Yang.

While China'€™s domination as the winner of most medals is hard to topple, South Korea, which is targeting winning some 90 gold medals, is looking to retain second place ahead of Japan.

Japan may use the Asian Games as a springboard to gaining success at a higher level when it hosts the next Summer Olympics in 2020.

Indonesia, which is sending 188 athletes to compete in 23 sports, is carrying a double mission at the games. Not only is the eight-gold target expected to be met but the delegation will be trying to woo support during the General Assembly on Saturday in its campaign to become the host nation for 2019.

Should it succeed in the campaign, it will be Indonesia'€™s second time to hold the Asian Games
after 1962.

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