"This year's National Sports Festival will be more outstanding than any previous festival."
Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province made this statement at the torch unification and enshrinement ceremony for the 105th National Sports Festival and the upcoming 44th National Para Games, held on the afternoon of the 4th at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Square.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering a commemorative speech at the lighting and enshrinement ceremony of the flame for the 105th National Sports Festival and the upcoming 44th National Paralympic Sports Festival. Photo by Lee Seryeong
Governor Park said, "The National Sports Festival will be held in a week, followed by the National Para Games," and added, "Today, the flames for both events have been safely unified."
He explained, "The unified flames?Defender's Flame, Harmony Flame, Cosmic Flame, and Gaya Flame?will be relayed across 18 cities and counties over the next four days and will be enshrined at Gimhae Sports Complex, the day before the festival opens on the 11th, where they will be ignited."
He continued, "Through this festival, held under the slogan 'Gyeongnam Province and Korea Running Again,' I hope Korea will become one and the people will be united. I also hope that this unity will serve as an opportunity for Korea to leap forward again and for Gyeongnam Province to prosper once more."
He further emphasized, "Given the capabilities, pride, and confidence of our residents, this festival will be more remarkable than any previous one and will be recognized as such. I ask everyone to continue to support and pay attention to the National Sports Festival until the very end."
The Flame of National Defense at Jesungdang in Hansando, Tongyeong, the Flame of the Universe at Chogye Daegong Park in Hapcheon, the Flame of Harmony at Manisan in Ganghwa, and the Flame of Gaya Culture at Gujibong in Gimhae have merged into one. Photo by Lee Seryoung
At the torch unification and enshrinement ceremony, four flames?Defender's Flame from Jeseungdang in Hansando, Tongyeong; Cosmic Flame from Chogye Grand Park in Hapcheon; Harmony Flame from Manisan in Ganghwado; and Gaya Cultural Flame from Gujibong in Gimhae?were unified at the torch stand set up in the provincial government square.
The unified flame, now symbolizing the harmony and prosperity of Korea and the leap forward of Gyeongnam, will be enshrined at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government and then head to Gimhae Sports Complex, where the opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the 7th.
The torch will depart from the provincial government, pass through 105 sections in 18 cities and counties in the province, carried by 644 runners, and finally light the main torch at Gimhae Sports Complex, the main stadium.
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