KBS World Radio 17th Asian Games INCHEON 2014

With the Incheon Asian Games opening on Friday, attention is being drawn to a South Korean initiative of helping countries that haven't earned medals in international sporting events to become more competitive.

The  Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) said Friday that it hopes the countries that have never won a medal at the Asian Games, such as Bhutan, Maldives and East Timor, will take home a medal from Incheon.

Over the years under the Vision 2014 Initiative, the IAGOC has assisted athletes from a total of 30 recipient countries for hiring coaching staff, conducting overseas training and buying equipment.

The Vision 2014 Initiative is a program that South Korea has prepared for the Incheon Games along with the Olympic Council of Asia since the country was picked as the hosting country of the Asia’s biggest sporting event in 2007.

The committee has stressed, however, that it will organize the competitions in a transparent and fair manner.