NAGOYA: The 20th Asian Games will open in Japan on Saturday with a colourful opening ceremony after a difficult build-up to the continent’s biggest multi-sport event.
The Games will feature around 17,000 participants, making them larger in athlete participation than the Olympics. The first gold medal is expected to be awarded on Sunday morning in the men’s individual triathlon.
A total of 469 gold medals will be contested across more than 40 sports before the Games conclude on October 4.
Nagoya and Aichi prefecture are hosting the event, which will also offer Olympic qualification opportunities in seven sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Accommodation Problems
Organisers faced several challenges while preparing for the huge number of athletes and officials.
There is no traditional athletes’ village this time. Instead, competitors are staying in temporary container-style accommodation, hotels and the cruise ship Costa Serena.
Some athletes were reportedly left stranded at the airport after transport failed to arrive. Several teams also raised concerns about the temporary accommodation, including complaints that some beds were too short.
Heavy rain added to the difficulties. Record rainfall flooded parts of Nagoya last week, while a tropical storm approaching eastern Japan could cause further disruption on Sunday and Monday.
Another controversy emerged on Friday when North Korea’s national anthem was played for South Korea’s men’s hockey team.
“This is a really serious problem,” South Korea coach Min Tae-seok said.
India also changed its flag-bearer shortly before the opening ceremony. Shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was replaced after his ceremonial kit was reportedly missing from his luggage.
Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat will take his place, according to Indian media.
Major Stars Set to Compete
Despite the problems, organisers have described the Games as potentially the “most spectacular for generations”.
Basketball, football and cricket are already under way. Traditional Olympic sports such as athletics and swimming will feature alongside Asian favourites including sepak takraw and kabaddi.
The Games will also include eSports, breakdancing and BMX cycling as organisers seek to attract younger audiences.
Padel and mixed martial arts will make their Asian Games debuts.
Several high-profile athletes are also expected to compete. Philippine tennis star Alexandra Eala is among the participants, while India’s 15-year-old cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and China’s 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi are among the youngest stars.
Yu will compete in the women’s 200-metre butterfly heats on Sunday.
Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting will also compete after winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024. Her participation comes two years after her eligibility became the subject of an international gender controversy.
China Targets Another Medal Haul
Hosts Japan will rely on several Olympic champions, including gymnast Shinnosuke Oka and javelin thrower Haruka Kitaguchi.
North Korea has entered more than 100 athletes across 14 sports. The country has said its athletes aim to “bring joy to Marshal Kim Jong Un”.
China will once again enter the Games as a major medal contender after dominating the delayed 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
China won 201 gold medals and 383 medals overall in Hangzhou. More than 800 Chinese athletes are expected to compete in Japan, including 36 Olympic champions.
India will also focus on cricket as the sport prepares to return to the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games after a 128-year absence.
India could face long-time rivals Pakistan in the cricket final at Nagoya’s new purpose-built cricket ground, although the weather could affect the schedule.
