Pakistan, Sept. 20 -- The 20th Asian Games will open in Japan later Saturday with a glittering ceremony following a stuttering build-up to a multi-sport spectacular that has more participants than the Olympics.

The first gold medal will be won on Sunday morning, likely in the men's individual triathlon, and will be followed by 468 more in 45 sports before the curtain comes down on October 4.

The event, which has 2028 Olympics places up for grabs in several sports, will be graced by global stars but has been dogged by a series of problems. The 17,000 participants - more than the Olympics - stretched organizers to the limit as they scrambled to find accommodation for everyone.

To save money there is no traditional athletes' village, comp...