By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Thousands of ``taegeukgi,'' South Korea's national flag, covered the Han River in central Seoul, Sunday, during a ``Hi Seoul Festival'' program to cheer Korean swimmer Park Tae-hwan.
In the cross-Han River swimming event, participants swam holding a huge taegeukgi, 12 by 8 meters, and 2,008 smaller flags, on the 1.53 kilometer route from Han River Park in Jamsil to Ddukseom Park.
Meeting their wish, Park won the nation's first gold in swimming.
A birdman contest was also held over the weekend, where participants attempted to fly using non-power-driven machines. Although most stayed in the sky only several seconds before falling into the river after jumping from a board 8 meters above, both contestants and viewers enjoyed themselves.
Citizens also cooled off from the heat by enjoying various water sports, such as rafting, water-skiing, and windsurfing.
Under the theme ``Han River,'' the nine-day festival opened Saturday. Citizens can enjoy water sports during the day and performances in the evening at Yeouido, Ddukseom Park and Seonyu Island.
Other programs include a canoe race; the Hangang Fantasy Show where an electric stunt orchestra and acrobatic aerial theater troupe will perform; a Monster Ballet where ballerinas' delicate movements harmonize with the rough exterior of mechanical diggers; and Voice of the River, a music concert featuring Korean rock groups.