Busan Asian Games' Athlete Village Officially Open

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 23, 2002

Busan Asian Games' Athlete Village Officially Open

The 14th Asian Games' athlete village, which can accommodate up to 14,000 people, was officially open in South Korean port city of Busan on a sunny Monday.

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The 14th Asian Games' athlete village, which can accommodate up to 14,000 people, was officially open in South Korean port city of Busan on a sunny Monday.

Thousands of colorful balloons were flying into high blue sky while the 82-year-old village mayor Wang Sang-eun declared the open of the village, which is located in the city center and 25 kilometers from Gimhae International Airport.

Nearly one thousand guests including Chairman of Busan Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC) Chung Soon-taek, Minister of Culture and Tourism Kim Seong-jae and Busan mayor Ahn Sang-young attended the opening ceremony.

Illustrating the facilities of the village to the guests, village mayor Wang said that the village, which would be run from September 23 to October 17, was built as a deluxe apartment complex with 2,290 units in 20 buildings and 11 other facilities.

"The complex is divided into the Residential Zone, the International Zone and the Common Zone," Wang said. "In the Residential Zone, there are 2,119 units in 19 apartment buildings designated for athletes and officials, one building with 171 rooms and offices for the resident operation staff."

"There are also auxiliary housing support centers alongside the capacious Dining Hall for athletes and officials," he added.

It was reported that the main athlete's cafeteria can accommodate 3,000 persons and has the service for sending meals to venues.

"In the International Zone, there are a National Olympic Committee Service Center, general warehouse for supplies and facility maintenance, a fitness center for athletes, the village mayor office, the administrative center, discotheque for athletes and officials, a bank, the village polyclinic, entertainment facilities, the Flag Plaza for flag-raising ceremonies," Wang said.

"In the Common Zone, there are an admission and accreditation office, conference rooms, broadcasting offices, an entry control and security office, transportation and security office with fire station and a motor pool," he added.

Kwon Ki Moon, an athlete's village supporter, told Xinhua that Indonesia has become the first foreign nation among 44 participating countries and regions for the Busan Asiad to send athletes to settle down in the village. A group of 26 Indonesian athletes and officials arrived in the village on September 17.

According to BAGOC, all the facilities in the athlete's village will operate 24 hours a day, which include hospital, bank, laundry and dry cleaning service, equipment repair center, radio station, shopping center, barber shop, beauty salon, cafe, discotheque, karaoke bar, games room, internet service room and video viewing room.

Additionally, the athlete's village will be the site for a various cultural events and the programs to enhance harmony and friendship among the Asians.

Starting from September 28, there will be a total of 13 concerts scheduled during the Asian Games, at least one per day on the village's stage.

Moreover, there will be three parades showing the traditional Korean King's march, traditional wedding ceremony and Korean traditional costumes show.

Exhibitions, movies and other events are also scheduled.

The Busan Asian Games will be held from September 29-October 14.

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