The Asian Games are bigger than the Summer Olympics, at least in athlete numbers

The Asian Games have outgrown the Summer Olympics in terms of the number of athletes participating. The opening ceremony of the 2023 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, is set to welcome over 11,000 athletes, surpassing the 10,700 athletes that competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 20th edition of the Asian Games features athletes from 45 countries and regions, including Afghanistan to Yemen.

While the Games don't boast the same star power as the Olympics, they offer developing nations a chance to shine. China, with its large pool of athletes, is expected to dominate swimming, where Pan Zhanle, Wang Shun, Qin Haiyang, and Xu Jiayu are expected to compete. Notable participants include South Korean badminton star An Se-young, who will compete in her home country and hear her national anthem if she wins gold.

However, the Games face challenges such as a shortage of accommodation and the inclusion of new sports like teqball and padel.