Rousing welcome for North Korea squad
20 Sep 2014 10:54 PM GMT
The two countries are technically still at war, and a recent spike in tensions prompted speculation about what kind of reception the North’s delegation would get at the gala launch of the 17th Asiad.
The crowd in the 61,000-seat stadium bellowed their approval as the North made their way around the stadium, dressed in pristine white blazers and sharp blue trousers.
But the enthusiasm was not reciprocated, unlike other teams who beamed and took selfies, the North’s athletes and officials managed only the slightest of grins as they paraded round the ground waving their flag.
The stern approach echoed the team’s blank response to an athletes’ village welcome ceremony on Thursday, when they looked on expressionless as a South Korean breakdance group spun and flipped to popstar Psy’s hit ‘Gangnam Style’. However, while some teams waved the hosts’ flag as they entered the stadium for the opening ceremony, there was no question of the North following suit.
The crowd in the 61,000-seat stadium bellowed their approval as the North made their way around the stadium, dressed in pristine white blazers and sharp blue trousers.
But the enthusiasm was not reciprocated, unlike other teams who beamed and took selfies, the North’s athletes and officials managed only the slightest of grins as they paraded round the ground waving their flag.
The stern approach echoed the team’s blank response to an athletes’ village welcome ceremony on Thursday, when they looked on expressionless as a South Korean breakdance group spun and flipped to popstar Psy’s hit ‘Gangnam Style’. However, while some teams waved the hosts’ flag as they entered the stadium for the opening ceremony, there was no question of the North following suit.
Next Story
