The largest para games in Asia, the 11th Incheon Asian Para Games, raised the curtain on October 18 at the Incheon Munhak Stadium in Nam-gu (district), Incheon.

Under the slogan “A Wave of Passion, Now Begins!,” the games will be held on the largest scale ever, since their establishment in 1975. About 6,000 athletes and staff from 41 countries will compete to win nearly 400 gold medals across 23 disciplines over the course of a week from October 18 to 24.


Approximately 1,400 people, both with and without disabilities, showcased various mass games and performances, celebrating the lives and contributions of athletes with disabilities, their families and those who devote their lives to the welfare of the disabled.

A fireworks display began when Prime Minister Chung Hongwon officially declared the commencement of the games, bringing the stadium to a festive mood.




The opening ceremony was composed of four parts. Themed, “BE, Human beings exist,” the first part began with the VIPs' entrance, the flag raising ceremonies and the entrance of the athletes. Performers wearing "firefly clothes" with lights put on a wonderful show, making various shapes and symbols. Wearing costumes decorated with the traditional Taegeukgi pattern, flag bearers raised the flags of the official Asian Paralympic Committee and the Korean national flag, catching the eyes of the audience.

Starting with Nepal, athletes of the participating countries entered the stadium in Korean alphabetical order. Korea entered last, receiving a grand applause and loud cheers. North Korea, which is participating in the games for the first time, sent a 33-member strong delegation, including 9 athletes.




The second part of the opening ceremony was staged on the theme of, “The high wall of Impossible, and the key named creativity.”

In the third part, themed, “I AM”, people who work for the human rights of the disabled and who create inventions to help them, were introduced on the jumbo displays at the stadium. A large-scale performance followed, featuring dancers who used giant wheels, unicycles and artificial hands and legs, to make the “impossible” become “possible.” Singer Kim Tae-woo sang “One Candle,” a hit song of the popular pop band GOD, at the end of the third section. The song sends the message that all people, including people with disabilities, should become one.



In the fourth section of the opening ceremony, themed, “Celebration,” a festival was held to mark the lives of all people who make the impossible become possible using their creativity and passion.

As the highlight of the event, the torch was used to light the official flame by Kim Sejin, who won three gold medals in the 2009 Disability Sports Events (DSE), and his mother. Kim was born without both feet and without three fingers. He overcame the disability through endless training and effort.

Loud applause and fireworks followed as the flame was lit. The flame will brighten Incheon for the next 7 days.




President of the Asian Paralympic Committee Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin said that the Incheon Asian Para Games 2014 will offer people the opportunity to fully enjoy the touching moments of determination, courage, struggle and inspiration that these games always have. He urged people to become one with a united voice, mission and hope, and to cheer all the athletes of the games, and their support teams, who are participating in the Incheon Asian Para Games.

President of the Korea Paralympic Committee Kim Sung-il said, “By watching athletes who cannot see or walk train with so much sweat and effort, we will learn that no difficulty can easily destroy people. The Incheon Asian Para Games will give people comfort, courage and hope. The waves of the most beautiful challenges and touching moments will stretch from Incheon all across Asia and the world.”

All events across the 23 sports at the Incheon Asian Para Games, except the opening and closing ceremonies, are free of charge. More information is available at the games' homepage serviced in both Korean and English. http://www.incheon2014apg.org

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Incheon Asian Para Games Organizing Committee
arete@korea.kr