Asian Games 2026 opens amid troubled build-up and complaints from athletes

The 20th Asian Games commenced in Nagoya on Saturday, with organizers facing a series of hiccups and complaints from athletes. Five years after the Tokyo Olympics were held in empty venues due to Covid-19, Japan invited spectators to a spectacular opening ceremony at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The continental sporting event, concluding on October 4, featured athletes from 45 nations and regions competing for 369 gold medals in 43 sports.

Instead of constructing a dedicated Games village, organizers placed athletes and officials in a combination of hotel rooms, temporary wooden containers, and a cruise ship anchored in the bay as a cost-saving measure. Several delegations, including the hosts Japan, found the arrangements subpar, citing mix-ups, double-bookings, and cramped conditions for the basketball team.

India's cricket board set up a separate hotel for their star-studded men's cricket team due to limited bed allocations from organizers. The athletes faced long registration waits and buses arriving late, leading to incorrect venue assignments. The Olympic Council of Asia, which oversees the quadrennial Games, acknowledged the issues as operational challenges on Saturday.

The opening ceremony, themed "Harmonic Heart Beat," aimed to promote Asian solidarity amidst geopolitical tensions, with live performances, cultural traditions, and futuristic technology. However, the Games faced early setbacks, with Taiwan's delegation initially refusing to participate in the welcoming ceremony and South Korea's men's hockey team upset when North Korea's anthem was played at a match.

The first gold medal was expected on Sunday in the triathlon, with a high-class swimming competition also starting in Tokyo, featuring China's world-record holder Pan Zhanle and 13-year-old sensation Yu Zidi. The Games also included regional favorites, esports, and modern events like teqball and virtual taekwondo, making their debuts at the Asian Games.