Incheon likes its chances to host the Asian Games
The big vote is less than a week away, and officials of South Korea’s third-largest city, Incheon, expressed optimism that they will beat New Delhi, India, to host the 2014 Asian Games.Incheon officials said they have secured support from at least 20 of the 45 member nations in the Olympic Council of Asia, which will hold a general assembly in Kuwait on Tuesday to pick the city that will host the event.
Incheon City Mayor Ahn Sang-soo said, “We will do our utmost to the last minute to host the Games. Because we will give all that we have, I believe we can bring about a good result.”
Prior to the vote, Incheon will hold a 30-minute presentation session that includes a video message from President Roh Moo-hyun.
In the presentation, Incheon will also promise to raise $20 million to support Asian countries that have not yet won medals in the quadrennial Asian Games.
New Delhi is expected to offer free flights and accommodations to all the participants in the Games.
Reports said China has decided to support India.
If Incheon wins the competition, it will become the third Korean city to host an Asian Games following Seoul and Busan, which hosted the Games in 1986 and 2002, respectively.
Incheon, with a population of 2.74 million, began trying to land the bid in 2005 after receiving government approval and support.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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