2014 Asian Games

Asiad infobox
Name = XVII Asian Games

Size = 175
Optional caption =
Host city = Incheon, South Korea
Nations participating = -
Athletes participating = -
Events = 37
Opening ceremony = September 18 2014
Closing ceremony = October 4, 2014
Officially opened by = -
Athlete's Oath = -
Judge's Oath = -
Torch Lighter = -
Stadium = Munhak Stadium
The 17th Asian Games, officially known as the XVII Asiad, is the largest sporting event in Asia governed by Olympic Council of Asia. It will be held in Incheon, South Korea from September 18 to October 4, 2014 with 37 disciplines of sport set to be competed.cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200704/200704180011.html |title=Incheon Wins 2014 Asian Games Bid |accessdate=2007-04-18]

Bidding process

The two contenders for the 2014 Asian Games were Delhi (India) and Incheon (South Korea). In the presentation, South Korea promised US$20 million support for the countries that have not yet won any medal in previous Asian Games, as well as making the Incheon Munhak Stadium and Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium the main venues for events. Meanwhile, India offered free flight and accommodation during the Games to all participating countries. [cite news|url=http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=5144 |title=Incheon confident on bid for 2014 Asian Games with Chinese premier's support |accessdate=2007-04-17] However, South Korea also matched the same offer during the final presentation before voting began.

On April 17, 2007, the actual vote was held in the Marriott Hotel in Kuwait City after the Olympic Council of Asia's general meeting. All 45 members of the OCA voted, with voting held in secret ballot. Although the vote results were not released, it was revealed by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that Incheon won by a margin of 7 instead of 19 as reported.cite news|url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=366535&sid=NAT&ssid= |title= Pollution, traffic could have cost Delhi the Asian Games |accessdate=2007-04-19]

#flagicon|KOR Incheon, South Korea: 26
#flagicon|IND Delhi, India: 19

It was widely felt that Delhi's lack of enthusiasm to host the event was the primary reason for its loss. Then Union Sports Minister of India, Mani Shankar Aiyar, spoke strongly against Delhi hosting the games and argued that it was better if the money allocated by India's government for organizing the sporting event was spent on building facilities for the poor. [http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/sep2008/gb20080919_727533.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_global+business] IOA President revealed that India's Sports Minister remarks against hosting the 2014 Asian Games was the main reason for New Delhi's loss. [http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1091428] The IOA delegation also added that the bids evaluation committee concerns about pollution and traffic in Delhi, as well as Delhi offering US$200,000 to each team for games support against Incheon's offer of US$20 million to all 45 nations participating in the event could also have contributed to the defeat.

ports restrictions

The Olympic Council of Asia has set the benchmark on the number of sports after the 2006 Asian Games. Only 35 sports are allowed, with 28 of them will be Olympic sports and the other seven will be added as negotiated with the organizer. The reason for the decrease in the number of sports is because part of the Asian Games sports will be moved to the Asian Beach Games which will start at the 2008. [cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200612/15/eng20061215_333021.html |title=OCA to cap number of sports at 35 for future Asian Games |accessdate=2006-12-17]

Venues

*Incheon Munhak Stadium
*Incheon Munhak Baseball Stadium
*Incheon Arena
*Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium

Construction

A number of construction projects already happening in Incheon have had their completion dates modified to be finished sometime before the Asian games, mostly related to the New Songdo City developments. There is also the Gajeong Lu 1 City, Incheon Tower, and the Incheon Bridge.

References