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Indonesia views Olympics as opportunity to spur economy
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Proudest moment: Indonesia’s shuttlers Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (left) and Marcus Gideon share the podium after winning 2018 Asian Games men’s doubles gold medal in Jakarta on Aug. 28, 2018. (The Jakarta Post/Seto Wardhana)
I
n preparing the country for its planned bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games, the government has conducted a study on the impact of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, thereby identifying what areas require improvement.
According to the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), the 18th Asiad had a positive economic and social impact on the host country. Mass transportation networks and new sports arenas were developed and small and medium enterprises saw a boost in business.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach complimented Indonesia for pulling out its best effort and saw that it had the potential to host other large sporting events, such as the Olympics. Later, Indonesia officially announced it intended to place a bid to host the 2032 Olympics.
The 2018 Asian Games set a new record in Asiad history by welcoming 11,478 athletes from 45 countries – a number that surpassed the 2016 Rio Olympics’ 11,238 athletes, according to the study.
For cohosts Jakarta and South Sumatran capital Palembang, the Games provided a boost to economic growth in the August-September period.
South Sumatra’s economic growth reached a peak of 6.1 percent in the third quarter of 2018 when the Games took place, its highest number on record and much higher than the 5.27 percent growth the national economy recorded in the same period.
