The 14th Asian Games in Busan set records including China's first 300-medal edition and 22 world records broken across 38 sports.
Key Facts
- Athletes
- 7,711
- Sports contested
- 38
- Events
- 419
- Participating nations
- 44
- World records broken
- 22
- Asian records broken
- 43
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, was selected to host the 14th Asian Games, making it the second South Korean city to do so after Seoul hosted in 1986. The city prepared multi-sport facilities across Busan and four co-hosting neighbouring cities: Ulsan, Changwon, Masan, and Yangsan.
The XIV Asian Games were held in Busan from September 29 to October 14, 2002, featuring 7,711 athletes from 44 countries competing across 419 events in 38 sports. The Games were opened by South Korean President Kim Dae-jung at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, with the football tournament beginning two days before the opening ceremony.
China led the final medal tally and became the first nation in Asian Games history to surpass 300 medals in a single edition. South Korea set a new record of 95 gold medals as host nation. Japanese swimmer Kosuke Kitajima was named MVP, and the Games produced 22 world records and 43 Asian records.
Result
at Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan, South Korea