Places for Asian Games & # 39; 95% ready & # 39;



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View of the main stadium of Gelora Bung Karno, main venue of the Asian Games, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photos: VCG

The Asian Games sites will be ready before Indonesia hosts the flagship event in a month, say the organizers, but the threat of terrorist attacks and threats # 39; s endless traffic jam still hangs on the huge tournament.

An army of workers is working tirelessly to complete construction, widen roads and plant trees in an attempt to beautify Jakarta, a teeming metropolis that many visitors find hard to love.

The athletes' village seems ready, but some competitors may need nose-clips – they throw themselves on a poisonous and smelly river.

Jakarta and Palembang in Sumatra are expected to host about 11,000 athletes and 5,000 officials from 45 countries and Asian regions from August 18 to September. 2 Games, the largest multi-sport event in the world behind the Olympics

Apart from an unfinished squash complex, most sites seem almost finished.

The main stadium Gelora Bung Karno, used in the last 1962, underwent a major renovation for the event of 30 billion rupees ($ 2 billion).

"I think all the sites, after what I see … 95 percent should be finished by the end of July," director Erick Thohir, a media mogul who is c president of the Inter football club Milan, said last week.

Epic Traffic Jam

Indonesia began with less time than most host countries. He agreed to host the Games when Vietnam withdrew, citing concerns over preparations and the heavy financial burden.

Jakarta then advanced the 40 sports games by 2018 to avoid a clash with the national elections. The organizers insist that the 2004 Athens Olympics will not be repeated when the main stadium will be completed a few weeks before the opening ceremony or that the 2014 World Cup will take place in venues. unfinished.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games, where problems ranged from dirty conditions at the athletes' village to the collapse of infrastructure.

Indonesia has had problems with the Southeast Asian Games 2011 following the corruption scandals and the football finals. At the Asian Games, athletes can arrive at the time to the athletes.

Jakarta is one of the countries where air pollution and air pollution are the most serious.

Athletes and officials will use reserved lanes while Jakarta has implemented an odd license plate system to limit congestion.

Schools will also be closed to allow millions of students to get out of the equation.


A view of the pool at the Jakarta Aquatic Site.

Fears Related to Security

Security is another source of concern for the Games, a few months after the terrorist attacks in the second largest city of Indonesia, Surabaya, which killed a dozen people. the staff will be deployed in Jakarta, Palembang and West Java, where several events are underway.

"All security elements are already in place," said Deputy Chief of the National Police, Syafruddin, who has a name. did not only think about the safety of the athletes, but we are also preparing security measures for all aspects related to games … of course, safety is the priority. "

Police say that they have gathered terrorist suspects from street criminals during a pre-game crackdown – and even kill some who resisted arrest.

Many Jakartans do not seem to know that their city is hosting a major event, with a substantially insufficient promotion of the Games.] 02] "What is it (the Asian Games)? I'm not too sure, "said Widi Astari, a Jakarta-based entrepreneur.

Some who know the Games have complained about ticket prices, which range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 300,000 (3.5 to 21 dollars). "I think it will be great if the organizer provides tickets for lower middle class viewers because I think everyone wants to watch," said Ari Fajar.

About a quarter of spectators the 40 000 tickets available for the opening ceremonies – 750 000 rupees the least expensive – were recovered during the first week of sale on June 30.

Although the Games are not perfect, Jakartan Nia bet his country will not embarrass

"At least the outside world will know that Indonesia has done its best," she said. [ad_2]
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