Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games

16th Asian Games Open in Guangzhou, China: The 16th Asian Games opened Friday for a 16-day run in Guangzhou, China.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao declared the Asiad open in a spectacular aqua-themed opening ceremony attended by other Asian dignitaries and International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge.

The opening ceremony for the event were held at 9 p.m. Friday on Haixinsha Island along the Pearl River that runs through the city of Guangzhou. Athletes were ferried on 45 boats to the venue shaped like the bow of a ship for an extravaganza of light, water and flames.

Some 14-thousand athletes from 45 Asian countries will compete in 42 events during the 16-day Games that will end on November 27th.

South Korea has sent a total of one-thousand-13 athletes to compete in the sporting event. Handball player Yoon Kyung-shin led the South Korean team into the opening ceremony as the flag bearer.

South Korea is aiming to win more than 65 gold medals to rank no lower than second in the overall medal tally for the fourth consecutive time at the Asian Games.

11.27 18:28