The 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Incheon 2013 (AIMAG) has officially closed on Saturday, July 6, with a closing ceremony at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon.
This fourth edition of the Games, and the first to combine the Asian Indoor Games and the Asian Martial Arts Games, saw the participation of 1,750 athletes from 44 countries all over Asia, in a competition in 12 sports over the past eight days.
In attendance at the Closing Ceremony were Mr. Jizhong Wei, the honorary vice president of Olympic Council of Asia; Mr. Kim Young-soo, President of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC); Mr. Song Young-gil, Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City and the Chairman of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Executive Committee; Mr. Shin Hak-yong, Chairman of the Education, Culture, and Sports Committee of the Korean National Assembly; Mr. Park Jong-gil, 2nd Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea; and other dignitaries and invitees.
The theme of the Closing Ceremony was “Let’s Shine Together”. Some of the brightest star athletes produced by the 2013 AIMAG were highlighted, with the wishes for their continuing excellence in their endeavors.
The pre-ceremony segment of “Welcome” displayed traditional music and videos of all 44 of the participating countries, along with AIMAG promotional videos and competition highlights. A visual record of the last eight days of the AIMAG was shown, from the lighting of the Torch and the Opening Ceremony to the Closing Ceremony.
After the entrance of the VIPs, the National Flag of Korea was raised, and four students from Yeonghwa Elementary School in Incheon sang the National Anthem of Korea. The Parade of the Athletes followed, with the athletes entering the arena all together.
A segment called “8 Special Days” was focused on a specific athlete, Bayarsaikhan Narantuya, an 18-year-old Billiards player from Mongolia who participated in her first international competition at the 2013 AIMAG. The segment followed her preparations in Mongolia and her travel to Korea, and her play at the AIMAG. The video was narrated by Ahn Sung-ki, a famous Korean actor.
Then the OCA flag was handed over to the host country of the next AIMAG in 2017, Turkmenistan. A video presentation and a traditional performance of Turkmenistan followed.
The Torch of the AIMAG was finally extinguished, which symbolized the closing of the 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Incheon 2013.
Mr. Kim Young-soo, President of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC), in his closing remarks, said, “We extend our thanks to the citizens of Incheon, the volunteers who served at the Games, all the people who committed their time and talents for the success of the Games, and indeed, all of Asians.”
Mr. Jizhong Wei, the honorary vice president of Olympic Council of Asia, said, “The 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games was held as a test event for the 2014 Asian Games. But it was proven in Incheon that the AIMAG itself is an interesting and exciting international competition. I am certain that the Asian Games next year will be the best ever Asian Games in history.”
Korea, as the host country, sent 121 athletes in 12 sports to the 2013 AIMAG, and earned 21 gold, 27 silver, and 19 bronze medals. The country ranked second in the medal count, after China, which earned 29 gold, 13 silver, and 10 bronze medals.
The 2013 AIMAG was held as a test event for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee, as an opportunity to test the facilities, competition operations, and management know-how for the Asian Games next year.
*press release (July 6)