INCHEON, South Korea -- It may have looked good on television, but backstage, problems marred the opening ceremony of the 2014 Asian Games here.
Several complaints were lodged on meet organizers as only a few shuttle services were around to transport the athletes from the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium back to the Athletes’ Village.
The Philippine delegation for one, had to wait for some two hours before it can have a ride back, owing to the chaotic, free-for-all shuttle buses to the Athletes’ Village.
Athletes and officials alike from other participating countries were forced instead to settle for public transportation on their way back.
“This is the worst opening ceremonies I’ve ever attended,” a flabbergasted Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ritchie Garcia said. “Very lousy.”
Garcia also serves as Chef De Mission of the Philippine contingent.
The chaotic scenario was in stark contrast to the extravagant opening ceremonies on stage, highlighted by the performance of world-wide phenom Psy and the popular teenage group K-Pop.
Garcia said he was a little bit concern that fatigue may have an effect on the Philippine tennis team, whose players attended the opening ceremonies on the eve of their competition while waiting for several hours in the holding area before parading with the entire Filipino delegation.
Fortunately, Ruben Gonzales, PJ Tierro, and Treat Huey swept past Mongolia in the first round.
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