The 2002 Asian Games, officially known as the XIV Asian Games and also known as Busan 2002 (부산2002), were an international multi-sport event held in Busan, South Korea from September 29 to October 14, 2002. Due to schedule impediments the football tournament started two days before the opening ceremony.
EAFF E-1 Football Championship, known as the East Asian Football Championship from 2003 to 2010, and the EAFF East Asian Cup for the 2013 and 2015 editions, is a men's international football competition in East Asia for member nations of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF). Before the EAFF was founded in 2002, the Dynasty Cup was held between the East Asian top four teams, and was regarded as the East Asian Championship. There is a separate competition for men and women.
South Korea has traditional sports of its own, as well as sports from different cultures and countries.
Soft tennis is a racket game played on a court of two halves, separated by a net. Soft tennis originated in Japan in 1884. Like regular tennis, it is played by individuals (singles) or pairs (doubles), whose objective is to hit the ball over the net, landing within the confines of the court, with the aim of preventing one's opponent from being able to hit it back. Matches are generally best-of-seven or best-of-nine. Soft tennis differs from regular tennis in that it uses soft rubber balls instead of hard yellow balls.
Historically, North Korea's participation in international sporting events has been hindered by the relations with South Korea. Until the 1990s, North Korea used to host up to 14 international events every year, albeit in small scale. Since the early 1990s, the amount was reduced to just one, the Paektusan Prize International Figure Skating Festival. More recently, since the 2000s, North Korea both participates in and hosts more international competitions.
The men's football tournament has been a regular Asian Games sporting event since the 1951 edition, while the women's tournament began in 1990.
Athletics was contested from October 7 to October 14 at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan, South Korea. A total of 459 athletes from 39 nations took part in the competition. Afghanistan, Bhutan, Brunei, Laos and Maldives were the only nations without a representative in the events.
The Judo competition at the 2002 Asian Games was contested in sixteen weight classes, eight each for men and women at the Gudeok Gymnasium.
Basketball was one of the many sports which was held at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea between 28 September and 14 October 2002. The competition took place at Geumjeong Gymnasium and Sajik Arena.
Boxing was one of the many sports which was held at the 2002 Asian Games in Masan Gymnasium, Masan, South Korea between 2 and 13 October 2002.
Football at the 2002 Asian Games was held in Busan, Changwon, Yangsan and Ulsan, South Korea from 27 September to 13 October 2002.
Tennis were contested at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea from October 2 to October 12, 2002. Tennis had team, doubles, and singles events for men and women, as well as a mixed doubles competition. The tennis competition was held at the Geumjeong Tennis Stadium.
Diving was contested from 8 October 2002 to 13 October 2002 at the 2002 Asian Games in Sajik Swimming Pool, Busan, South Korea. China dominated the competition winning all gold medals.
Table tennis was contested from 1 October 2002 to 9 October 2002 at the 2002 Asian Games in Dongchun Gymnasium, Ulsan, South Korea.
Canoeing and Kayaking were held at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea from October 10 to October 12. Men's and women's competition were held in Kayak and men's competition in Canoe with all events having taken place at the Nakdong River Rowing and Canoeing Courses. The competition included only sprint events.
Wrestling was one of the many sports which was held at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea between 2 and 8 October 2002. The competition took place at Yangsan Gymnasium.
The cue sports was one of the many sports which was held at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea between 1 and 8 October 2002. The competition took place at Dongju College Gymnasium. The competition included only men's events.
The IIHF Asian Oceanic U18 Championship was an annual event held by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) each at the start of every year for national under-18 ice hockey teams from Asia and Oceania. The Championships first held in 1984 and was played every year until 2002 where the competition ceased as teams were integrated into the World U18 Championships.
Soft tennis was a discipline of the tennis competitions at the 2002 Asian Games. Competition took place from October 1 to October 7. All events were held at Sajik Tennis Courts. The host nation South Korea dominated the competition by winning all seven gold medals.
The men's 5000 metres competition at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea was held on 10 October at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium.
