2002 Asian Games

Busan was selected over Kaohsiung at the 14th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on 23 May 1995. The voting involved 41 members of the sports governing body, with 37 of them supporting Busan.{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/05/23/SKoreas-Pusan-to-host-Asian-Games/9346801201600/|title=S.Korea's Pusan to host Asian Games|website=upi.com|date=May 23, 1995|agency=United Press International}}{{cite web|url=http://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1995052400209101004&editNo=45&printCount=1&publishDate=1995-05-24&officeId=00020&pageNo=1&printNo=22862&publishType=00010|title='Busan 2002 Asian Games held'|date=24 May 1995|website=News Library|language=ko|access-date=21 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=442ljo3SJes |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/442ljo3SJes |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=City of Pusan to stage 2002 Asian Olympic Games|date=21 July 2015|agency=Associated Press|website=Youtube}}{{cbignore}}

A total of US$2.9 billion was spent for the games.{{cite web|url=https://www.todayonline.com/sports/high-price-asian-games|title=The high price of the Asian Games|date=6 May 2014|publisher=Today Online}}

Image:14th asian games mascot.png

The emblem of the Games is a motif of the Sea of Japan's blue waves in the shape of Taegeuk, symbolising Busan and Korea. It expresses the image of development and unity of the Asian people and the two dynamic powers that are closely intertwined. The wave's shape in the emblem indicates the character B, the first character of Busan.{{cite web|title=Emblem, Busan 2002|url=http://www.ocasia.org/Game/IAsianMarks.aspx?GPCode=18#|publisher=OCA|access-date=2010-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616234312/http://ocasia.org/Game/IAsianMarks.aspx?GPCode=18|archive-date=2010-06-16|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=OutLine|title=General Information|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030202005705/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=OutLine|archive-date=2003-02-02}}

The mascot of the 2002 Asian Games is a Sea gull, the city bird of Busan named "Duria", whose name is a combination of the two words 'Durative' and 'Asia', which means "You and Me Together" or Everlasting Asia in the Korean language, which expresses the ideal of the Games: to promote harmony, friendship and prosperity among Asian countries. Its thick black ink and free line expression symbolize Korean traditional culture, while its white colour shade represents the image of a powerful spirit and the great hopes for Asia in the 21st century.{{cite web|title=Mascot, Busan 2002|url=http://www.ocasia.org/Game/IAsianMarks.aspx?GPCode=18#|publisher=OCA|access-date=2010-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616234312/http://ocasia.org/Game/IAsianMarks.aspx?GPCode=18|archive-date=2010-06-16|url-status=dead}}

The medal of the games featured a top-view design of the Korean traditional octagonal building, Palgakjeong, with the old Olympic Council of Asia logo on the obverse and Busan Asia Games Flame, logo, and Oryukdo scenery on the reverse. The design represents solidarity of membership and eternity of the OCA, Busan as host of the games and youth, unity, and friendship of the athletes.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030216230138/http://www.busanasiangames.org/eng/sports/Standard_Sports.asp?Events=MedalInfo|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/eng/sports/Standard_Sports.asp?Events=MedalInfo|title=Medals|archive-date=16 February 2003|agency=BAGOC}}

In conjunction with the Games, eight songs were released as the official music for the Games:{{cite web|title=AG Official Music|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Music|publisher=busanasiangames.org|access-date=2010-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704065831/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Music|archive-date=2003-07-04}}

• "The Dream of Asia" – Lee Moon-se
• "Frontier!-Voices from the East" – Yang Bang-ean & Furee
• "We are..." – Baby box
• "Theme from Duria" – Hong Jong-myung, Shin Hyo-bum
• "The Fanfare" – Busan city Orchestra
• "Welcome to Busan Korea" – Kim Hyo-soo
• "Let's Go!!" – Gang Hyun-soo
• "Love to All of Us" – CAN

The relay itself started at 11 a.m. on 5 September 2002 when two flames were simultaneously lit at Hallasan in South Korea and Paektu Mountain, the Korean peninsula’s highest mountain, in North Korea. 42 local flames in other participating nations were also lit at the same time.{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/sep/05asiad.htm|title=Asian Games torch lit in Delhi|date=5 September 2002|agency=Rediff}} The two Korean flames were unified into one at Imjingak Pavilion at the truce village of Panmunjeom during the morning of 7 September 2002, being dubbed the Unification flame. After that, a nationwide torch relay totalling a distance of 4,294 kilometres in 23 days was held. The relay passed through 904 districts in 16 cities within the country. The Unification flame, joined with the flames of 42 other participating nations, were unified at the main cauldron base during the opening ceremony on 29 September 2002.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030328074429/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=3&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=78|title=Flame of peace lights up Busan|archive-date=28 March 2003|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=3&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=78|date=28 September 2002}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030716120243/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=3&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=93|title=Together at last!|archive-date=16 July 2003|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=3&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=93|date=30 September 2002}} The torch design was based on a Korean traditional music instrument called taepyeongso.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030705150916/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=6&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=3|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=6&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=3|title=The design for the Sacred Fire|date=9 October 2001|agency=BAGOC|archive-date=5 July 2003}}

42 competition venues were used in the Games with twelve of them are newly built,{{cite web|title=Venues readiness|url=http://busanasiangames.org/eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Status|publisher=busanasiangames.org|access-date=2010-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030705180508/http://busanasiangames.org/eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Status|archive-date=2003-07-05|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://pusanweb.com/asiangames/agschedule.htm|title=2002 Asian Games venues|publisher=Pusan Web}} including the Asiad Sports Complex which was completed on 31 July 2000.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030508130004/http://busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=6&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=5|url=http://busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=6&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=5|title=Busan Asiad Main Stadium Completed|date=9 August 2001|archive-date=8 May 2003|agency=BAGOC}} Other venues included an athletes' village and a main press centre.{{cite web|url=http://busanasiangames.org:80/eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=MpcIbc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030717125031/http://busanasiangames.org/eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=MpcIbc|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-07-17|title=Main Press Centre|access-date=2019-03-30}}

The Asian Village in Property Development Area, Banyeodong, Haeundae District, Busan had 2,290 apartments in 20 buildings which can accommodate 14,000 people.{{cite web|url=http://busanasiangames.org:80/eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Athlete|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030717120326/http://busanasiangames.org/eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Athlete|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-07-17|title=Athlete's village|access-date=2019-03-30}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030228073200/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=5&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=30|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=5&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=30|title=AV officially opens on Sept. 23|archive-date=28 February 2003}}

The host city Busan had existing subway and bus services prior to the games.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030223091130/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Traffic5|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Traffic5|title=Transportation|archive-date=23 February 2003}}

The opening ceremony with the theme A Beautiful Meeting was held on 29 September 2002 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Participating nations marched into the stadium in Korean alphabetical order began with Nepal. North Korea and South Korea jointly entered the stadium under one flag for the first time in Asian Games history and the second time after the 2000 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Asian-Games-begin-in-Busan/articleshow/23671625.cms|title=Asian Games begin in Busan|website=The Times of India |agency=Times of India|date=29 September 2002}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/ag/2002/sep/29open.htm|title=Games open with 'Beautiful meeting'|agency=Rediff|date=29 September 2002}} South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung declared the Games open, Two Korean athletes — Mun Dae-Sung (taekwondo) and Ryu Ji -Hye (table tennis) — took the oath on behalf of all the participating athletes while South Korean retired judoist Ha Hyung-joo and North Korean judoist Kye Sun-hui lit the games' cauldron. The cultural part was a six-segment show lasting 40 minutes and was about the encounter between King Kim Suro and the Queen Heo Hwang-ok. The main star of the event was the opera diva Sumi Jo.

All 44 members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) with 7,711 athletes took part in the Games. East Timor participated for the first time since its independence, Afghanistan returned to the action since Taliban had come to power,{{cite news|title=History of the Asian Games|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/16th-asian-games-2010/History-of-the-Asian-Games/articleshow/6909206.cms|access-date=2010-11-20|newspaper=The Times of India|date=2010-11-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125042733/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/16th-asian-games-2010/History-of-the-Asian-Games/articleshow/6909206.cms|archive-date=2010-11-25}} and Saudi Arabia returned after previously boycotted prior event due to political tension with Thailand as the 1998 Games host.{{cite news|title=World: Asia-Pacific Saudis pull out of Asian Games|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/222641.stm|access-date=2023-09-22|newspaper=BBC News|date=1998-10-26}} Below is a list of all the participating NOCs; the number of competitors per delegation is indicated in brackets.{{cite web|title=Each National & Regional|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/eng/ag/ba_elist_by_nat.asp|publisher=busanasiangames.org|access-date=2010-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030216231708/http://www.busanasiangames.org/eng/ag/ba_elist_by_nat.asp|archive-date=2003-02-16}}{{cite web|title=Participating Countries and Regions|url=http://busanasiangames.org/eng/sports/Standard_Sports.asp?Events=Country|publisher=busanasiangames.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021229212947/http://busanasiangames.org/eng/sports/Standard_Sports.asp?Events=Country|archive-date=2002-12-29}}

A total of 419 events in 38 sports was contested in the Games across 16 days of competition. The football and basketball events began two days and one day prior to the opening ceremony respectively.{{cite web|title=Competition Schedules|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/ag/ba_scd_all.asp|publisher=busanasiangames.org|access-date=2010-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030621155144/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/ag/ba_scd_all.asp|archive-date=2003-06-21|url-status=dead}} Bodybuilding had its debut at the Games.{{cite news|title=South Korea catches Japan in medals race|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/news/2002/10/05/asian_games_ap/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427142854/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/news/2002/10/05/asian_games_ap/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 27, 2005|access-date=2010-11-20|newspaper=CNNSI.com|date=2002-10-05}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Aquatics
• Synchronized swimming
• Diving
• Swimming
• Water polo
• Archery
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cue sports
• Bodybuilding
• Bowling
• Boxing
• Canoeing
• Cycling
• Mountain bike
• Road
• Track
• Equestrian
• Fencing
• Field hockey
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Artistic gymnastics
• Rhythmic gymnastics
• Handball
• Judo
• Kabaddi
• Karate
• Modern pentathlon
• Rowing
• Rugby union
• Union
• Sevens
• Sailing
• Sepaktakraw
• Shooting
• Softball
• Soft tennis
• Squash
• Table tennis
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Beach volleyball
• Volleyball
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling
• Wushu

{{div col end}}

:All times are in Korea Standard Time (UTC+9)

{{2002 Asian Games calendar}}

The closing ceremony with the theme Returning to Home was held on the evening of Monday, 14 October 2002 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Japanese swimmer Kosuke Kitajima was announced as the most valuable player (MVP) of the Games. Samih Moudallal, vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), on behalf of OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al Sabah declared the games closing. The Asian Games flag was handed over to Doha, Qatar, host of the next edition in 2006. A cultural segment of the city was also presented.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030515063015/http://busanasiangames.org/eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Ceremony|url=http://busanasiangames.org/eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=Ceremony|title=Ceremony|archive-date=15 May 2003}}{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/today-history/october-14-2002-curtain-falls-on-asian-games-in-busan-1.2105304|title=October 14 2002 Curtain falls on Asian Games in Busan|agency=Gulf News|date=13 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/ag/2002/oct/14close.htm|title=South Koreans bid touching farewell|agency=Rediff|date=14 October 2002}}

{{main|2002 Asian Games medal table}}

The top ten ranked NOCs at these Games are listed below. The host nation, South Korea, is highlighted.

{{:2002 Asian Games medal table}}

Busan Asian Games Radio and Television Organization (BARTO), a joint venture between Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), served as the host broadcaster of these Games, covered 28 of the 38 sports during the event.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030328073356/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=6&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=9|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=6&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=9|title=BARTO- selected a host broadcast company for rebroadcasting|archive-date=28 March 2003|date=15 December 2001|agency=BAGOC}} The International Broadcast Centre was located at Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) in Haeundae District.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030328075036/http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=5&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=44|url=http://www.busanasiangames.org/Eng/Today/TodayNews/Standard_Note.asp?Notes=NewsView&Page=5&Word=&CheckBox=0&Id=44|title=MMC, pivotal broadcasting center, opens|archive-date=28 March 2003|date=16 September 2002|agency=BAGOC}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030404211026/http://busanasiangames.org/Eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=MpcIbc|url=http://busanasiangames.org/Eng/2002AG/Standard_2002AG.asp?PageName=MpcIbc|title=Main Press Centre/International Broadcast Centre|archive-date=4 April 2003|agency=BAGOC}}

On October 7, 2002, the Olympic Council of Asia announced that the bodybuilding bronze medalist in the +90 kg weight category Youssef El-Zein of Lebanon was relieved of his medal for not submitting to a drugs test. After El-Zein was disqualified, the bronze medal in the +90 kg category went to Choi Jae-Duck of South Korea (who had finished fourth).{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_8-10-2002_pg2_5 |title=Lebanese bodybuilder stripped of bronze |work=The Daily Times |date=October 8, 2002 |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=July 4, 2011 |location=Lahore |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022124830/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_8-10-2002_pg2_5 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 }}

Six days later, Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported that Indian middle-distance runner Sunita Rani had tested positive for a banned substance, which was later confirmed by Lee Choon-Sup, Deputy Secretary General of the Busan Asian Games Organizing Committee; an unofficial report stated that the substance was the anabolic steroid nandrolone. Sunita had won two medals in athletics: a gold in the 1,500 m (setting an Asian Games record) and a bronze in the 5,000 m, (in which Sunita jointly bettered the Games record set by Indonesian Suprianti Sutono in Bangkok during the 1998 Asian Games with six other athletes).{{cite news | url=http://hindu.com/2002/10/14/stories/2002101402902100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004075109/http://hindu.com/2002/10/14/stories/2002101402902100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 4, 2012 | title=Sunita Rani tests positive | work=The Hindu | date=October 14, 2002 | access-date=July 10, 2011 | author=Mohan, K. P.}}{{cite web | url=http://www.asianathletics.org/records/ag.htm | title=Asian Games records | publisher=asianathletics.org. Asian Athletics Association | date=November 27, 2010 | access-date=July 10, 2011}} The Indian Chef de Mission at the Games backed Sunita—who denied using any banned drug—and asked for a "B" sample test from Bangkok, but tests were run only at the Asian Games’ Doping Control Center (AGDCC) in Seoul (the laboratory accredited by the IOC). On October 16, the AGDCC confirmed the steroid nandrolone in Sunita's urine sample; as a consequence, the OCA stripped her of both medals and dismissed her Asian Games record for the 1,500 m.{{cite news | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/11451/ | title=Sunita stripped of her medals while her officials run for cover | work=The Indian Express | date=October 17, 2002 | access-date=July 10, 2011 | author=Halarnkar, Samar | location=New Delhi}}{{cite news | url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/10/17/stories/2002101700342100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031102220602/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/10/17/stories/2002101700342100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 2, 2003 | title=Sunita Rani stripped of medals | work=The Hindu | date=October 17, 2002 | access-date=July 10, 2011}}

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) requested the intervention of the International Association of Athletics Federations and the IOC; the samples were jointly reexamined by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the IOC Sub-Commission on Doping and Biochemistry of Sport. In January 2003, the OCA announced that the IOC Medical Director had cleared Sunita of the doping charge and that appropriate action would be taken against the AGDCC.{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/jan/07rani.htm | title=OCA to return Sunita Rani's medals | work=Rediff.com | date=January 7, 2003 | access-date=July 10, 2011}} Both of Sunita's medals were reinstated on February 4, 2003, in a ceremony attended by the Secretary General of OCA Randhir Singh and the president of the IOA Suresh Kalmadi.{{cite news | url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030205/sports.htm#12 | title=Sunita Rani gets back her Asiad medals | work=The Tribune | date=February 4, 2003 | access-date=August 26, 2011 | author=Unnikrishnan, M. S. | location=New Delhi}}

Three Malaysian sepak takraw players were sent home for failing drug tests after testing positive for morphine.{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/sports/ag/2002/oct/03malay.htm|title=Malaysian athletes pilloried at home|agency=Rediff|date=3 October 2002}}

A total of 16 athletes including 12 Nepalese, three Sri Lankans and one Mongolian were reported to be missing, with police and sports officials suspecting them to have found illegal jobs in South Korea.{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/sports/ag/2002/oct/09miss.htm|title=Jobs better than medals for some Asiad athletes|agency=Rediff|date=9 October 2002}}

{{Portal|Asia|Sports|South Korea}}

• 1986 Asian Games
• 2002 FESPIC Games
• List of IOC country codes

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20021004102404/http://busanasiangames.org/Eng/ 2002 Asian Games official website (archived)]
• [http://www.rediff.com/sports/ag/index.htm Rediff games coverage site]
• [https://www.gettyimages.dk/photos/the-14th-asian-games?mediatype=photography&phrase=the%2014th%20asian%20games&recency=anydate&sort=mostpopular&license=rf,rm&page=1&suppressfamilycorrection=true Getty Image]

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{{Asian Games}}

{{Nations at the 2002 Asian Games}}

{{Events at the 2002 Asian Games}}

Asian Games

Asian Games

A

Category:Sports competitions in Busan

Category:Multi-sport events in South Korea

Category:Asian Games by year

Asian Games

Category:September 2002 sports events in Asia

Category:October 2002 sports events in Asia