Guangzhou, Nov 12 : Unprecedented security cover has been put in place and organisers announced that use of vuvuzela in and around stadia has been banned as the Asian Games officially open with an expensive and flashy opening ceremony.
China is leaving no stone unturned to showcase its sporting hegemony as it poured in billions of dollars for this extravaganza to herald the most ambitious Asiad so far with more than 14,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries and territories taking part.
''Everything is in place. After six years of hard work, I am pleased to announce that the preparatory work of the 16th Asian Games has been completed,'' announced Guangzhou vice-mayor Xu Ruisheng.
Security is a main concern, with more than 100,000 police officers on duty to keep the Games safe, and they are being backed by thousands of security guards and volunteers.
''As the Guangzhou Asian Games will have the most ever athletes, officials and reporters in the history of the Asian Games, the security work has been a great challenge.
''The security panel has adopted effective and necessary measures to ensure a safe Games. We have done our best to provide a safe and favorable environment for athletes, coaches, officials and audiences,'' a statement from the Games security commission said.
''We can not take any chances,We want the Games to be grand success and we want people of the World to remember Guangzhou for all the good reasons,'' Xu Ruisheng said. ''The city will emerge as a main sporting centre after this event.'' The organisers also announced that people will not be allowed to carry vuvuzela in or around stadia.
''We have nothing against the instrument (which hit the headlines during the Soccer World Cup) but keeping in mind the objections raised by the athletes and sports officials who say it is a source of distraction, it has decided to declare it as a prohibited item,'' Xu Ruisheng said.
Government officials are confident that the Games will help transform the city into one of Asia's top destinations at par with Beijing and Shanghai. For the Games, many big infrastructure projects - a new railway station, a trade centre, subway lines, housing projects, highways and bridges have been constructed well ahead of schedule along with 70 sporting facilities which have either been built or renovated.
As the Chinese are known to spring surprises on the World when they host such extravaganzas - this time the the opening ceremony will be held outside the main stadium and will be held in an island on the Pearl River.
Organisers also asserted that the opening ceremony will have the largest lighting show ever seen at a major sports event, based around a theme prominently featuring the local Lingnan culture.
''All chapters of the performances will be linked together under the theme of water, which is a traditional element of Lingnan culture,'' diclosed ceremony's deputy director He Jiqing.
All the athletes will arrive by a convoy of pleasure boats, but this time the two Korean teams (North and south) who marched together at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics and 2006 Doha Asian Games are unlikely to do so here
''Everything is in place. After six years of hard work, I am pleased to announce that the preparatory work of the 16th Asian Games has been completed,'' announced Guangzhou vice-mayor Xu Ruisheng.
Security is a main concern, with more than 100,000 police officers on duty to keep the Games safe, and they are being backed by thousands of security guards and volunteers.
''As the Guangzhou Asian Games will have the most ever athletes, officials and reporters in the history of the Asian Games, the security work has been a great challenge.
''The security panel has adopted effective and necessary measures to ensure a safe Games. We have done our best to provide a safe and favorable environment for athletes, coaches, officials and audiences,'' a statement from the Games security commission said.
''We can not take any chances,We want the Games to be grand success and we want people of the World to remember Guangzhou for all the good reasons,'' Xu Ruisheng said. ''The city will emerge as a main sporting centre after this event.'' The organisers also announced that people will not be allowed to carry vuvuzela in or around stadia.
''We have nothing against the instrument (which hit the headlines during the Soccer World Cup) but keeping in mind the objections raised by the athletes and sports officials who say it is a source of distraction, it has decided to declare it as a prohibited item,'' Xu Ruisheng said.
Government officials are confident that the Games will help transform the city into one of Asia's top destinations at par with Beijing and Shanghai. For the Games, many big infrastructure projects - a new railway station, a trade centre, subway lines, housing projects, highways and bridges have been constructed well ahead of schedule along with 70 sporting facilities which have either been built or renovated.
As the Chinese are known to spring surprises on the World when they host such extravaganzas - this time the the opening ceremony will be held outside the main stadium and will be held in an island on the Pearl River.
Organisers also asserted that the opening ceremony will have the largest lighting show ever seen at a major sports event, based around a theme prominently featuring the local Lingnan culture.
''All chapters of the performances will be linked together under the theme of water, which is a traditional element of Lingnan culture,'' diclosed ceremony's deputy director He Jiqing.
All the athletes will arrive by a convoy of pleasure boats, but this time the two Korean teams (North and south) who marched together at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics and 2006 Doha Asian Games are unlikely to do so here
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