Indonesia formally open the 18th Asian Games

Reuters - Indonesia President Joko Widodo formally opened the 18th Asian Games on Saturday (August 18) with a spectacular pyrotechnic show including a simulated volcanic eruption. Some 9,000 security personnel stood guard at the stadium, which has previously hosted, among others, Pope John Paul II, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi and Guns N' Roses as well as English Premier League sides such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal. Organisers have said 100,000 police and military personnel will be on duty to protect the Games, while facial recognition technology will be used at some of the venues. Some 13,000 athletes from 45 national Olympic committees will compete in 40 sports and 67 disciplines in the biggest multi-sport extravaganza outside Olympics with the schedule including new events ranging from bridge to roller skating.