17th Asian Games torch arrives in Incheon

INCHEON, South Korea - The torch that will be used to light the main cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Asian Games arrived in the host city of Incheon on Wednesday.

After a 36-day torch relay throughout South Korea, the flame will travel around Incheon's downtown and arrive at the main stadium in Incheon for the opening ceremony on September 19.

On August 9, the torch was first lit at the New Delhi Stadium in India, where the first Asian Games were held in 1951, to show the torch's history and legitimacy. After that it was combined with another flame that was set alight from Manisan, Ganghwa-do. It has traveled through 70 cities and towns across the host country and it is finally about to complete its long journey.

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

All 45 member NOCs of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will participate in the 16-day event, vying for 439 gold medals in 36 sports.

OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah visited the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Commitee (IAGOC) on Wednesday.

The 51-year-old Kuwaiti looked around the Incheon Asian Games publicity center on the first floor of IAGOC headquarters building before meeting with IAGOC President Kim Young-soo.

Sheikh Ahmad congratulated Kim and his team on the preparations for the Incheon Asian Games.

The IAGOC said that the opening ceremony will see a full house as all 62,000 seats at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium is expected to be filled up.

Sheikh Ahmad said that all the stakeholders must deliver what they have been working for during the past seven years.

"Let's give a good symbol of (South) Korea to the athletes, media, spectators and everyone at the games," he said.

Sheikh Ahmad added that just by looking at the volunteers' colorful apparel, one can tell that this is going to be a very colorful games. "Diversity is really shinning here in (South) Korea."

The OCA head then toured the Athletes' Village. He will stay in South Korea until Sept. 23.