This summer, Paradorn Schrichipan's success on the U.S. hardcourts prompted celebration in Thailand, Yao Ming's ascent to the top of the NBA draft class raised the profile of Chinese competitive basketball and the recent World Cup pumped millions of dollars into the South Korean economy.

This week's opening of the 14th Asian Games continues the celebration of Asian sports success, bringing together nearly 10,000 athletes from 44 nations to compete in 38 sports in Busan, South Korea.

The opening ceremonies saw participants from both North and South Korea march together behind a white 'unification' flag with a picture of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea sent 184 athletes, marking the first time the country has entered an international sporting event in South Korea since the 1945 division.

Kye Sun Hui, who won a gold medal in women's judo at the 1996 Summer Olympics, carried a torch into the stadium with South Korea's Ha Hyung-joo, a 1984 Olympic champion in judo.

Just as noteworthy was the participation of Afghanistan, with the war-torn country sending its first contingent since 1994. The newest Asian country, East Timor, also sent athletes.

While the Asian Games includes most of the sports showcased at the Olympics, it also features ancient Asian sports unfamiliar to most Westerners such as kabbadi, sepak takraw and wushu.

The games will conclude with a closing ceremony on Oct. 14.