KUALA LUMPUR - A flying tiger, shiny gold suits and a parade of marching bands took centre stage as the Southeast Asian Games opened in a glittering ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. About 4,200 athletes are competing for 404 gold medals in sports ranging from boxing and equestrianism to petanque, speed skating and lawn bowls at the popular and unique SEA Games. The opening ceremony of the SEA Games 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on August 19. EPA PhotoGames mascot Rimau, a fluffy Malayan tiger, flew into the stadium on a wire, after LED-lit pedal cars and flag-wavers wearing glittering gold suits had entertained the crowd. The biennial SEA Games, formerly the Southeast Asian Peninsula Games, have been running since 1959, when the region was still emerging from its long eraof colonialism.

Source: Viet Nam News August 19, 2017 15:00 UTC