Typhoon put people off Asian Games opening ceremony, official says

NAGOYA: Typhoon warnings may have contributed to the empty seats observed during the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Nagoya, organisers revealed on Sunday. The stadium, with a capacity of 30,000, commenced the continent's premier sporting event on Saturday, attended by Japan's emperor and empress. Fireworks marked the conclusion of the event, yet while certain areas of the arena were packed, others had noticeably vacant seats.

Husain Al-Musallam, the Olympic Council of Asia's director general, disclosed that they had to keep one block empty due to the Games flame. "This is one part," he told reporters. "Plus, more than 70 percent of tickets were sold." However, this contrasted with an announcement at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium that the ceremony was sold out.

Al-Musallam added, "But maybe, if you remember, it was a typhoon warning coming to Nagoya and at the last minute the typhoon shifted." Consequently, the organizers asked the same question that had been repeatedly posed: "What happens if the typhoon comes?" The typhoon, which had earlier been viewed as a potential threat to the Games, actually had a more significant impact in the Tokyo region, where heavy rain was forecast on Sunday, affecting some Games events such as swimming. There is forecasted wet weather for Nagoya later on Sunday and Monday.