The Asian Games 2018 torch reaches Jakarta, Indonesia on August 15, ending a month-long journey across 54 cities in the Southeast Asian nation. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018torch reached Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia on August 15, ending amonth-long journey across 54 cities in the Southeast Asian nation.
The torch was welcomed by marching bands and renowneddancers in a festival in the capital.
The flame was lit in India’s capital of New Delhi wherethe first ASIAD was hosted in 1951. It arrived in Indonesia on July 5 beforestarting its 18,000km cross-country journey at the cultural centre Yogyakartaon July 17.
The Indonesian ASIAD Organising Committee has spent bigon the torch relay. The torch was even carried on a plane before passing manyrivers and straits in the archipelago country.
The torch is set to arrive at the Gelora Bung Karnostadium for the Games’ opening ceremony on August 18.
The 18th ASIAD, Asia’s biggest sporting event,will take place in the two major Indonesian cities - Jakarta and Palembang –from August 18 to September 2. The country is expected to host some 11,000athletes from 45 Asian countries and territories competing in 67 sports.
The Vietnamese sport delegation to the event comprises523 members, including 352 athletes and 81 coaches. The athletes will compete in32 out of 40 events, and the country targets at least three gold medals thisyear.
Medal hopefuls include Olympic gold medalist shooterHoang Xuan Vinh, weightlifters Thach Kim Tuan and Trinh Van Vinh, swimmerNguyen Thi Anh Vien, cyclist Nguyen Thi That and Wushu artist Duong Thuy Vi.–VNA
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