Record number of athletes for Indonesia Asian Games

The 18th Asian Games being hosted by Indonesia next month has attracted a record number of competitors which could pose logistical challenges for the local organizers, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said Thursday.

Wei Jizhong, OCA’s honorary life vice president, was pleased with the overwhelming response for this year’s Games in Jakarta and Palembang, with 10,500 to 11,000 athletes expected to take part in 40 sports and 67 disciplines.

However, the Chinese also expressed concerns over the potential difficulties that lie ahead for the organizing committee.

“Good news for Indonesia,” Wei said in a statement. “This may cause some difficulties but I am convinced that the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee has the capability to find a good solution with the OCA and all parties.”

The Games will also see North Korea 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 programs.

“I think it is very good to have a unified team because it will promote friendship between the two sides of the Korean Peninsula,” Wei added.

In the women’s basketball draw on Thursday, the unified Korean team were drawn with Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and India in Group X.

The Asian Games will be held from August 18 to September 2.