Flying balloons to promote 2002 World Cup
Flying balloons to promote 2002 World Cup
SEOUL (Agencies): Ten Chinese, Japanese and South Koreans will
fly in balloons across the Sea of Japan next week to promote the
2002 World Cup, organizers said Wednesday.
"The goal is clear. We want to promote the 2002 World Cup,"
said Yang Dong-hoon, a spokesman for (Korea) Sky Sports
Association.
Three balloons carrying 10 people from the three countries
will take off from Seoul's Chamsil Olympic Stadium early Monday
to arrive in a suburb of Tokyo after a 7 1/2-hour flight, Yang
said.
The travelers will include six professional balloonists from
the three countries. Also on board will be a pop singer, a world
short-track speed-skating champion, a professor and a
photographer from South Korea.
The Chinese balloonist, identified by organizers as Liu Xiang,
volunteered to take part in the program to celebrate the first
World Cup in Asia. Japan and South Korea are co-hosts.
Organizers identified two Japanese balloonists taking part in
the program as Takezawa Hirosuke and Miyata Hiroki. There also
will be three South Korean balloonists.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said it will keep the
riders informed of weather conditions by radio during the 1100-
kilometer (680-mile) trip.
The navies of the two nations will dispatch ships to prepare
for an emergency.
The South Korean travelers will carry a "letter of friendship"
from Seoul city mayor Ko Kun to Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara,
organizers said.
Seoul and Tokyo have a sisterhood relationship.
Ronaldinho
In Sao Paulo, Brazil coach Wanderley Luxemburgo dropped a
bombshell Tuesday by dropping rising star Ronaldinho Gaucho from
the starting line-up to face Ecuador in Wednesday's World Cup
qualifier here.
Luxemburgo had been expected to pair the Gremio forward with
Edilson of Corinthians in the absence of the injured Ronaldo but
instead Amoroso of Serie A side Parma gets the nod alongside
Edilson.
Preparing the bullets for the pair will be the job of
Barcelona's world player of the year Rivaldo, who has a licence
to roam - a brief he has not always managed to obtain at club
level from Barca boss Louis van Gaal.
Midfielder Cesar Sampaio of Palmeiras meanwhile makes a return
for his first cap since Brazil crumbled 3-0 to France in the 1998
World Cup final.
Earlier, Luxemburgo said he wanted an improvement on a
goalless draw in Colombia in the four-times World champions'
opening match, telling reporters: "Skill, dribbling and speed are
our watchwords.
"Dribbling skills are essential for this match in particular.
It's an essential weapon as we try to break down the defensive
barriers that Ecuador will put up," Luxemburgo said.
Ronaldinho, touted as the new Ronaldo, will have to settle for
a place on the bench as the Brazilians chase one of the four
automatic slots on offer to Latin American countries for the 2002
finals in Japan and South Korea.
In defense, Real Madrid wingback Roberto Carlos insisted he
had shaken off a knee strain and would play.
"I've no problems - I'm fine," he told reporters.
The match kicks off at 0040 GMT Thursday in Sao Paulo's
Morumbi stadium.