Indonesian security forces jumped out of helicopters and abseiled down the side of a high-rise in a counter-terrorism drill in Jakarta this week, as preparations for the Asian Games from August 18 to September 2 gathered momentum. Reuters reported that Indonesia is readying to host over 10,000 athletes.
The Games will also see North and South Korea fielding joint teams across three sports and six events and being represented under a unified flag. The move comes amid warming ties between the two Koreas as relations between Pyongyang and Washington have also improved after tension last year over the North’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Picture at left shows the Indian contingent for the 18th Asian Games taking a selfie with Mary Kom during the send-off ceremony in New Delhi on August 10; in the 2014 edition, 'Magnificent Mary' had won India its first boxing gold. At right, Indonesian dancers performing the traditional Poco-poco dance as the countdown to the Games begins.
Indonesian dancers perform the traditional Poco-poco dance along the streets of Jakarta on August 5, 2018. At least 65,000 dancers have set a world record for an Indonesian dance in Jakarta on August 5 to promote the upcoming Asian Games. Jakarta and Palembang will host the games from runs from August 18 to September 2.
