Opinion | Inside Incheon: An unqualified success? It didn't even come close
Poorly attended and far too big, the Asiad had few bright moments
Occupy Incheon? Forget it. It's time to get back home and occupy my bedsit. Yes, it won't be with any regrets that I leave this city, my home for the past 20 days. I have had enough of these Games which have failed to fire the imagination.
The success of a multisports event of this magnitude is made by the people of the host city. Sadly, the people of South Korea's third largest city showed only a lukewarm interest for the 17th Asian Games.
Compared to the last major event I covered, the London Olympics, this was like a visit to the dentist, painful but necessary.
Compared to the last major event I covered, the London Olympics, this was like a visit to the dentist, painful but necessary
London was fabulous. The crowds made the Games one of the best, if not the best. Only Sydney came close to matching the jolliness showed by the British fan.
Every venue was jam-packed and had a following, which created a special atmosphere. I remember Mo Farah running in the 5,000 metres in front of a crowd screaming his name. He was lifted by their support. But it was not only for the home athletes who received special treatment. They clapped and cheered everyone from the smallest Caribbean island to the monolithic sporting giant from China.
Compare that to what awaited Bahrain's Eunice Kirwa the other day. When the marathon runner entered the main stadium, well in front of the pack, it was deserted. Running into a cavernous arena which holds 62,000 seats must have been depressing, but Kirwa even did a lap of honour waving to the empty seats.
