Asian Games 2014 Opening Ceremony: Top Moments and Highlights
The 2014 Asian Games officially kicked off on Friday as the continent prepares itself for a fortnight of sporting competition likely to rival that of the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.
South Korea laid on a cultural and relevant display at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, purpose-built for these games, signalling the start of what promises to be 15 days of high-octane action.
Musical performances, artful illustrations and, of course, the customary flag-bearing parade of any noteworthy opening ceremony were just some of the spectacles on show. We detail the key moments and highlights below.
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The Story of Asia
The hosts did a wonderful job of meandering through the tapestry of Asia's past and how it has come to be that these nations have reunited, using a mixture of music, dance and other performances to do so.
In the first chapter, cataclysmic weather—heavy rain and lightning shattering the stadium scene—was depicted splitting the continent into sections.
A gigantic wooden ship appeared to illustrate the deep maritime ties that have shaped Asia as a global power, with railroads and telecommunications other factors in how Asia has connected with the rest of the world.
In an unselfish way, the South Korean hosts showed that, while this year's Games might be theirs, their main goal was to celebrate their relationship with the rest of the world.
Korean Hostility Halted
Sport has the power to provide a foundation upon which relations between people, organisations and entire countries can be strengthened or damaged.
So for South Korea and North Korea to share a moment in this setting so amicably was a pleasant moment to behold, the latter waving their flags—officially banned in the host nation—and receiving great applause by onlookers.
Talek Harris of Agence France-Presse took note of the occasion, which some may have been expecting to be a point of controversy. Inside The Games also confirmed that a welcoming atmosphere greeted the flag-bearers.
Both the 1988 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympic Games were held in Seoul and boycotted by North Korea. Now, things may be changing, and sport appears to be doing its bit to aid what has at times been a tumultuous relationship.
A Psy of Relief
As much as the entire extravaganza had been anticipated, it was the end of the opening ceremony many were waiting for, as South Korean icon Psy was wheeled out for the rest of the continent to enjoy.
The K-pop innovator performed viral hit "Gangnam Style," now boasting more than 2 billion views on YouTube, along with more recent release "Champion" and other songs.
Indian outlet HT Sports was among those to take note of the performance:
The Asian music market doesn't always branch out into the Western world with great success, but Psy is proof that the Far East can have its impact on a global scale.
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