2024-04-27 10:18:31
The ’14th Gyeonggi-do Sports Competition for the Disabled 2024 Paju’ opened on April 25 at Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri. The ’14th Gyeonggi-do Sports Festival for the Disabled 2024 Paju’, a major sports festival for 14 million Gyeonggi-do residents, began its three-day journey starting with the opening ceremony held at Pyeonghwa Nuri, Imjingak, Paju-si on April 25.
The opening ceremony of the 14th Gyeonggi-do Sports Festival for the Disabled, held under the motto ‘Beautiful Challenge, Paju Full of Emotions, Unifying Games’, was attended by Paju Mayor Kim Gyeong-il, Gyeonggi Province 1st Vice Governor Oh Byeong-kwon, Gyeonggi Provincial Council Chairman Yeom Jong-hyun, Paju City Council Vice-Chairman Yoon Hee-jung and heads of Gyeonggi-do city and county organizations. , city and county council chairs, and numerous citizens came together to share in the meaningful moment of the Gyeonggi Province Sports Festival for the Disabled held for the first time in Paju City.
The opening ceremony began with a classy dance performance by the Gyeonggi Dance Research Society and marked a splendid start with a magnificent performance by the Paju Wind Orchestra. Next, flag teams from 31 cities and counties entered, and the Paju City Choir heightened the atmosphere of the competition by passionately singing ‘With One Heart,’ the official theme song of the 2024 Gyeonggi Province Sports Games.
Track and field’s On Yun-ho and swimming’s Seong-min Kang, who took the oath as team representatives, expressed their will to compete fairly in the spirit of fair play and cooperate together to demonstrate their honed skills to the fullest.
In the torch event, which is the highlight of the sports festival, Paju city disabled track and field ace Lee Sang-ik took over the torch from Ji Dong-wook, a 79-year-old visually impaired weightlifter, and lit it for the final time, brightening the Peace Nuri at Imjingak with the flame of the torch.
Lastly, at the after-dinner event, a multimedia show and popular singers such as Jang Min-ho, Ali, and Ryu Won-jeong also appeared on stage to add to the festive atmosphere.
At the opening ceremony on this day, Paju Mayor Kim Gyeong-il said in a welcoming speech, “This year’s Paralympic Games will be an opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills to the fullest and for the citizens of Gyeonggi Province to unite and unite,” adding, “I look forward to seeing the drama of the emotions and challenges of the athletes participating in the Paralympic Games, which will be held in 17 sports.” “I look forward to enjoying it,” he said.
For the first time in history, Paju City held the opening ceremony of the competition outside of the existing stadium at Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri, a symbol of peace on the Korean Peninsula. In order to improve the performance of disabled athletes, remodeling of stadium facilities and amenities for each sport, including the installation of ramps for the disabled, was completed. In addition, various programs were prepared, such as reducing inconvenience to athletes and tourists through environmental improvement, accommodation, and restaurant maintenance, and operating side events at the opening ceremony that athletes and visitors can enjoy.
The 14th Gyeonggi-do Sports Competition for the Disabled confirmed participation of 4,942 people from 31 cities and counties in the final 17 events, which is an increase of 565 people compared to the previous year (4,377 in 2023), and is the largest number of participants in the competition’s history. In addition, for the first time in the history of the Paralympic Games, a two-event student division was introduced, with a total of 16 student athletes participating in track and field and weightlifting.
Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo by Paju City
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2024-04-27 10:18:31