Asian Athletics Championship kicks off with dazzling opening ceremony at Kalinga Stadium

[caption id=“attachment_3780147” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. AFP[/caption]   [caption id=“attachment_3780153” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Asian Athletics Federation president Dahlan Ahmad and International Athletics Federation president Sebastian Coe during the opening ceremony . PTI[/caption]   [caption id=“attachment_3780193” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] The Indian contingent led the team parade at the Kalinga Stadium. AFP[/caption]   [caption id=“attachment_3780207” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Former long jumper Anju Bobby George, Shiny Wilson, PT Usha and other legendary athletes were in attendance. PTI[/caption]   [caption id=“attachment_3780219” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] China, who are the most successful team in the Asian Athletics Championship, have fielded 58 athletes in this edition. AFP[/caption]   [caption id=“attachment_3780231” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Pakistani athletes march past during the opening ceremony. PTI[/caption]   [caption id=“attachment_3780245” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Discus thrower Hiba Omar is the sole representative for Syria at the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships. AFP[/caption]   [caption id=“attachment_3780255” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand sculpture for 22nd Asian Athletics Championships. PTI[/caption]