"The Heart of Asia, Gumi Runs" ... 26th Asian Athletics Championships Open in Spectacular Fashion

Over 1,200 Participants from 43 Asian Countries
Gumi Aims to Become a Global Sports Hub

The center of Asian athletics has shifted to Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. The 26th Asian Athletics Championships kicked off its five-day run with an opening ceremony at Gumi Sports Complex on the afternoon of May 28.

South Korea is entering last at the Asian Athletics Championships.

This year’s event is the largest ever, with more than 1,200 athletes and officials from 43 Asian countries participating.

The opening ceremony featured a vibrant array of performances and shows that blended tradition and cutting-edge technology, as well as culture and sports, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.

In particular, the opening performance, themed "Asian Dream, From Gumi to the World," was staged by the Gumi City Arts Troupe and local youth, moving the audience deeply.

The event was attended by more than 2,000 people, including Dalan Al-Hamad, President of the Asian Athletics Association; Adille Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics; Youk Hyunpyo, President of the Korea Association of Athletics Federations; key figures from the domestic and international sports community; representatives from sister cities; and members of the diplomatic corps.

Clockwise, it is Kim Jangho Gumi Market, Dalan Al-Hamad, President of the Asian Athletics Association, Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, Kang Myunggu, Member of the National Assembly for Gumi City Eul, and Koo Ja-geun, Member of the National Assembly for Gumi City Gap.

Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi and chair of the organizing committee, personally welcomed attendees and stated in his welcome address, "This event will mark the starting point for Gumi to leap from an industrial city to a world-class sports city."

Gumi City’s strategy is to use this championship not just as a sporting event, but as an opportunity to promote the city’s brand globally. During the competition, a variety of cultural and tourism programs?including the "Romantic Night Market," "Asia Food Festa," and "Global Cultural Exchange Night"?will take place throughout Gumi.

The city is making thorough preparations so that participants can experience both the tradition and modernity, as well as the industrial and cultural aspects, of North Gyeongsang Province.

In particular, the successful hosting of this championship is seen as proof of Gumi’s capability to attract global sports events. Going forward, Gumi plans to transform itself into a global sports hub by fostering youth athletics, expanding infrastructure for international competitions, and nurturing the sports MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.

The 26th Asian Athletics Championships will continue through June 1, with top athletes from across Asia competing for gold in 45 events. All competitions will be broadcast live on domestic television and YouTube.