Asian Games torch arrives in host city

AINCHEON -- The torch that will be used to signal the start of the 2014 Asian Games arrived in the host city of Incheon on Wednesday, the event's organizers said.

After a 36-day pilgrimage throughout some 17 cities in South Korea, the flame reached the hosting city of the 17th Asian Games two days before it is to light the Asiad cauldron during the opening ceremony of the multisport competition, according to the event's organizing committee.

"We will make sure to successfully wrap up the torch relay's grand finale in Incheon," a committee official said.

The torch will be left overnight at Yeonsu District Office and Namdong District Office in the northwestern port city for the next two days before completing the rest of its 6,000-kilometer journey toward Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, where the opening ceremony of the Asian Games will take place.

First lit last month in New Delhi, India, the hosting city of the very first Asian Games in 1951, the torch was later conjoined with another flame set alight in Incheon on Aug. 13 and began its relay throughout South Korea.

The torch, embodying the Asian continent's hope for peace and harmony, was designed after a crane, the official bird of the hosting city of Incheon.

This year's Asian Games will be the third in South Korea, after Seoul in 1986 and Busan in 2002.

All 45 member states of the Olympic Council of Asia, including North Korea, will participate, vying for 439 gold medals in 36 sports. About 14,000 athletes and officials are expected here during the 16-day competition.