Asian Games: Flame goes out on Asiad

INCHEON, South Korea - The Asian Games' symbolic flame went out before the first day of competition had even ended, red-faced organisers admitted Sunday.

The cauldron at the main Incheon stadium, lit at a grand opening ceremony on Friday night, went out for 10 minutes late Saturday, organising committee officials said.

The flame at the Asian Games, Olympics and other major sports events is considered a symbol of the event.

"It seems there were some technical problems," said one Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee (IAGOC) official.

A complicated mixture of water and liquefied gas is used to create a fountain-shaped flame and the official said this may have been the cause.

It was not the first case of enforced darkness at the Asian Games, which runs until October 4. The first round of the women's badminton team event was delayed after a power outage caused lights and screens to go off at the Gyeyang Gymnasium.