Mayor of Asiad athletes' village wants to provide comfort for residents

INCHEON - With some 14,500 athletes and officials for the upcoming Incheon Asian Games set to move into the athletes' village, Lee Elisa, head of the facilities, said Friday her goal is to make sure the residents will enjoy a comfortable stay in South Korea.

The opening ceremony for the 17th Asian Games is scheduled for next Friday, and the continental multisport competition will go on for 16 days. The athletes' village officially opened on Friday.

In an interview just ahead of the village's opening ceremony, Lee, a former world champion in table tennis, said she is ready to serve her "guests" the best she can.

"I spent my first night here in the village on Thursday and honestly, I am really excited," said Lee, now a ruling party legislator. "Over the years, I've participated in multisport competitions as an athlete and the head of the delegation. Now I am working as a host of the Asiad athletes, and it's really gratifying."

Lee said she wants to help the athletes "compete to their fullest capabilities" and make sure their stay in the athletes' village doesn't in any way affect their performances.

The athletes' village is located in Guwol-dong in the central part of the city. The village features 2,220 units in 22 new apartment buildings in three blocks.

Lee said she has also prepared cultural events for the athletes to enjoy away from the competition.

"Only about 10 percent of the athletes will contend for medals at the Asian Games," Lee said. "The rest will be eliminated earlier, and we will have some programs for them inside the village. The Asiad isn't simply a sporting event; it can also be a great PR tool for our country. We hope the young athletes can experience the Korean culture and see the country, too."

This year's Asiad carries an added political significance thanks to the participation of North Korea, which will send 150 athletes in 14 sports amid lingering tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The first batch of 94 athletes and officials arrived in Incheon on Thursday. Lee said the North Korean residents in the village "are extra special" to Incheon.

"Every one of the athletes is important to us, but because the North Koreans are like family to us, they're even more so," Lee said. "They will draw plenty of attention from outside, and we will see to it that they won't be too bothered by that. I met with a North Korean official earlier to talk about security and other matters."