Thai king opens Asian Games with 6,000 athletes
Posted: Sunday December 06, 1998 09:49 PM
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Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej lights the flame at the 13th Asian Games AP |
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- In rites building from low flares symbolizing dawn to a fiery cauldron lighting, Thailand's king opened the Asian Games Sunday night, giving Thais some respite from an economic crisis that once threatened the continent's Olympic-style event.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, was upstaged slightly by Japan's Naoko Takahashi. In a marathon run in early morning, to avoid the worst of Bangkok's tropical heat, she won the games' first gold medal in a time just one minute off the world record.
Her medal ceremony immediately preceded the official opening festivities for two weeks of competition among 6,000 athletes from 41 nations. In all, 377 gold medals are at stake in 36 sports, including uniquely Asian sports such as kabaddi and sepak takraw.
But the king not only made the key proclamation and released the royal pigeon, he also anointed a plaque for the Royal Main Stadium and composed some of the music. Songs written by the king, a talented jazz composer, were played by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
Thai officials who approached him at the ceremony did so on their knees. Others greeting the king included International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
A cascade of fireworks in honor of his 71st birthday Saturday and dancers who prostrated themselves on the field welcomed the monarch to his seat in the royal box.
Then came the athletes, starting with Cambodia and ending with the host Thai team. Saudi Arabia, which withdrew its team at the last minute, was represented by only a flag bearer.
The Sri Lankan team was led by six dancers in bright costumes, who delighted the crowd in the 60,000-seat stadium with acrobatic maneuvers.
Each team was led by a Thai beauty queen holding its signboard. After the parade, five of the women collapsed, and three were taken out on stretchers. Nurses at the stadium said later that all were treated and sent home. They said at least another 15 performers in the ceremonies also suffered heat exhaustion, and at least one was sent to a hospital by ambulance.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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