With Syria’s participation, XVII Asiad kicks off in South Korea

Seoul, SANA – The 17th Edition of Asian Games, officially known as the XVII Asiad, kicked off on Friday at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium in Incheon city, South Korea.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of 45 Asian countries that dispatched 10 thousand athletes to compete in 36 sports.

Syria is participating in the event with 30 athletes who will take part in 10 sport competitions, including weight lifting, karate, bikes events, boxing, wrestling, judo, shooting, swimming and athletics.

The 17th Asian Games 2014 includes 439 races and competitions, among them 28 Olympic sports. New sports that are famous in eastern and southern Asia have entered the competitions for the first time.

Incheon is the third South Korean city to host Asiad. It won the hosting after gaining 32 votes compared to 13 votes that its rival city, New Delhi, garnered. The voting took place in 2007.

Mohammad Nassr/ Manal Ismael

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