Organizers Tackle Asian Games Challenges

(ATR) The Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee apologized to members of the press for operational, security, and transportation issues.

On Saturday, the Games' flame was extinguished for around 12 minutes due to what the organizing committee called a malfunctioning sensor.

"The torch was made with a new state-of-the-art technology created in Korea to convey the harmony of fire and water," Del-hwa Park, IAGOC press relations bureau manager, said.

"Unfortunately the flame went out, and we have acknowledged it."

Park told members of the press Wednesday that two more additional sensors have been added to remedy the situation.

A backup generator has been added to the cauldron in case of a power outage.

In addition, a security lapse in the athlete’s village occurred on Tuesday.

An Indian man without a credential walked into the village through a food service door before officials swiftly removed him.

In addition, IAGOC members said that shuttle busses would run 24 hours after media members complained about not being able to return from venues to the media village late at night.

India lodged a formal complaint with the Olympic Council of Asia after journalists were left stranded on their way back to the media village.

The organizing committee received numerous complaints from media personnel that volunteers did not know the shuttle bus routes, and the times for the buses were not displayed.

Organizing Committee Address Ticket Sales

Despite lagging sales, the Incheon Asian Games have sold more tickets than the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.

Incheon 2014 set a goal of $33.6 million in ticket sales, but that goal has not been met. Organizers expect ticket sales from the closing ceremony will easily put the sales goal over the top.

"Some sports do not attract many spectators. This is the reality of the international sports competition," Il-hee Lee, deputy secretary general of IAGOC, told reporters.

Lee confirmed they are working on ways to attract fans from the city of Incheon, and they are not at a stage where tickets would just be given away.

"The organizing committee is working hard that until the closing ceremony we can meet the [$33.6 million] goal."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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