A performer stands on a boat in the shape of the Arabic letter "Qaf" in the "Sea of Life" sequence at the opening ceremony of the 15th Asian Games at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, on Friday. After years of planning and billions of dollars in investment, the Asian Games officially opened in the Qatari capital Doha with what is being billed as the most spectacular gala ceremony ever seen, with more than 13,000 athletes from 39 countries and regions angling for gold in 45 events. [AFP]