{
  "id": 12049092,
  "title": "[PHOTOS] Baton passes to Qatar: The road to 2030 Asian Games begins",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/photos-baton-passes-to-qatar-the-road-to-2030-asian-games-begins",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T01:47:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/photos/photonews/20261005/photos-baton-passes-to-qatar-the-road-to-2030-asian-games-begins"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games concluded with a grand closing ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan on October 4. The event marked the transition of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag to Qatar, with equestrian Jassim Al Kuwari bearing the flag during the ceremony at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.\n\nThe torch of the first-ever Asian Games, symbolizing the opening of this significant sports event, was held by the Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. Post-ceremony, the flame was extinguished, signifying the end of the games.\n\nThe atmosphere was charged with cultural performances, featuring dancers and performers dressed in traditional attire. The stage was set with a show of unity, as South Korean athletes were seen enjoying the festivities alongside North Korean athletes, who were present at the closing ceremony in Nagoya.\n\nThe event was lavishly concluded with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the night sky over Paloma Mizuho Stadium. The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games thus came to a close, marking the beginning of a new era in Asian sports under the stewardship of Qatar.",
  "summary": "Qatari equestrian Jassim Al Kuwari carries the Olympic Council of Asia flag during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Oct. 4. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The handover to Qatar marks a new era in Asian sports, with the 2030 Asian Games now on the horizon under the Olympic Council of Asia's leadership.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "[PHOTOS] Baton passes to Qatar: The road to 2030 Asian Games begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/photos-baton-passes-to-qatar-the-road-to-2030-asian-games-begins-12052417",
        "published": "2026-10-05T02:07:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}