Asian Games end after turmoil, triumph

The 20th Asian Games concluded on Sunday, concluding a turbulent fortnight marked by exceptional young talent in the competition arenas, but marred by logistical blunders and low public engagement. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani officially closed the Games at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, transferring the torch to the organizers of the forthcoming event in Doha 2030.

Over 17,000 athletes and officials participated, surpassing the number that attended the Paris Olympics. They competed in 469 gold-medal events, spanning from Tokyo to Osaka.

The massive scale of the Games often clashed with organizers' plans for a simple and functional event. Athletes and teams grappled with mishandled accommodation and transportation, leading to repeated apologies from the disheartened organizing committee. Despite these challenges, the Games were elevated by the performances of teenage prodigies, led by China's 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi, who won three individual gold medals in the Tokyo pool, setting the stage for a triumphant Los Angeles Olympics. Yu Zidi claimed the female Most Valuable Player award.

Zhang Zhanshuo, a 19-year-old, made history as the first swimmer to secure seven gold medals at the Games, while Shin Ohashi, a 17-year-old from Japan, shattered the 200m breaststroke world record. In athletics, China's 18-year-old Yan Ziyi delivered a world-class throw, winning the women's javelin gold, while Thailand's 20-year-old sprinter Puripol Boonson dominated the 100 and 200m races to become the men's MVP.

Logistics issues, such as accommodation, transport, and other complications, affected many teams, with Hong Kong's chef de mission Wong Po-kee confirming the widespread difficulties. Organizers decided to house athletes and officials in a mix of hotels, wooden container units, and a cruise ship to cut costs, rather than building a dedicated athlete village.

Budgeted for 15,000 athletes and officials, the committee struggled to manage the influx, with waves of athletes waiting up to 12 hours for registration. Some found their rooms double-booked or shared with the wrong teammates, while transport problems further hampered the Games, resulting in delayed competitions and several other mishaps.