ASIAN EXTRAVAGANZA Saturday, 13 November 2010 04:47

by Shajahan Moidin

Pictures from the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games, which officially began yesterday in the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou with a “breakthrough” spectacle that organisers hope will linger long in memory. In a departure from the standard openings, Guangzhou, China’s third-biggest city, held the traditional curtain-raiser on a boat-shaped island in the middle of the Pearl River instead of in a stadium. The extravaganza ignited a huge security sweep to protect national leaders including Premier Wen Jiabao, with forces mounting a land, sea and air operation that brought parts of the city of over 10 million to a standstill. Central to the water theme of the ceremony was a flotilla of 45 boats — representing each competing team — that sailed up the river before anchoring off Haixinsha island, where a packed grandstand eagerly awaited. The 9.3-kilometre cruise saw each brightly lit float carry a landmark of the individual country or territory, as crowds on the embankment, many of them waving Chinese flags, cheered and clapped.Qatari athletes and officials can also be seen taking part in the opening ceremony. More than 10,000 athletes are competing in 42 sports at the Games, the biggest Asiad ever, which end on November 27.

THE PENINSULA