17th Asian Games concludes

The 17th Asian Games came to a close Saturday, bringing an end to two weeks of intense competition, drama and controversy that shone a light on the best and worst of a region that will host the world's biggest events for the next decade.
A spectacular ceremony at Incheon's Asiad stadium officially marked the end of a Games that was hailed as a brilliant success and a model for future multi-sports events despite being tarnished by doping, crime and rows over religious freedom, women's rights and judging, according to a news agency.
At a time when Europe and North America are increasingly reluctant to even bid for the biggest sporting events because of the astronomical costs, South Korea pulled it off for around $2 billion, a fraction of the $32 billion China spent on the last Asian Games or the $51 billion Russia splurged on this year's Winter Olympics.
And Indonesia, the hosts of the next Asian Games in 2018, have already been told they can do it even cheaper, getting approval to save money by using existing stadiums rather than constructing new ones that invariably turn to white elephants.
It is a trend that the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) hopes will not only safeguard the future of the Asian Games but also help continue the dramatic growth of the event from its humble beginnings to one of the world's mega sporting festivals.