Asian Games in Japan Close Amid Youthful Triumphs and Organizational Turmoil

The 20th Asian Games in Japan drew to a close on Sunday, ending two weeks defined by exceptional athletic achievements from young competitors alongside severe organizational dysfunction and subdued public interest. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), officially declared the games closed at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, handing the torch to Doha, Qatar, which will host the event in 2030.

Approximately 17,000 athletes and officials participated in the Aichi-Nagoya edition, a figure surpassing the total for the Paris Olympics. Competitors vied for 469 gold medals across venues stretching from Tokyo to Osaka. However, the massive scale of the event clashed with the organizers’ intent to run a “simple, streamlined and functional” competition, resulting in widespread chaos.

Athletes and national delegations voiced complaints regarding mishandled accommodation and transportation, forcing repeated apologies from the embarrassed organizing committee. Rather than constructing a dedicated athletes’ village to save costs, organizers utilized a combination of hotels, wooden container units, and a cruise ship. This decision contributed to significant bottlenecks, with some athletes waiting up to 12 hours for registration upon arrival. Reports emerged of double-booked rooms and shuttle buses failing to arrive or delivering competitors to incorrect venues, causing delays in several competitions.

The South Korean delegation expressed particular frustration. Their team chef de mission assigned the organization an “F,” the lowest possible grade. Additional diplomatic mishaps included the incorrect playing of the North Korean national anthem for South Korea’s men’s hockey team, followed by an incident where South Korea’s flag could not be raised after their men’s football team defeated Japan for gold.

Despite the logistical struggles, the games were highlighted by historic performances from teenage stars. China’s 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi was named the female Most Valuable Player after claiming three individual gold medals in Tokyo. Her performances, including the second-fastest time in the 200m individual medley, have positioned her as a top contender for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics. Her 19-year-old teammate, Zhang Zhanshuo, became the first swimmer to secure seven gold medals at a single Asian Games. Meanwhile, Japan’s 17-year-old Shin Ohashi broke the world record in the 200m breaststroke.

In track and field, China’s 18-year-old Yan Ziyi won women’s javelin gold with a world-class throw, and Thailand’s 20-year-old Puripol Boonson swept the men’s 100m and 200m events to claim the men’s MVP title, also setting two Asian Games records.

Public engagement was markedly low, recalling the fanless atmosphere of the Tokyo Olympics five years prior. Fewer than 1,000 spectators attended the women’s football semifinal between Japan and South Korea in a 50,000-seat stadium, and many smaller venues in remote locations remained nearly empty. Nagoya resident Naoko Toda told Reuters she did not view the event as a success.

Nevertheless, the OCA praised the organizers for their frugal approach and declared the games a success. China led the medal table with 341 medals, including 169 golds, marking their best overseas haul. Japan also exceeded expectations with 83 golds from 269 medals, breaking its previous record set in Hiroshima in 1994. The event featured a record 43 sports, including debuts for padel, mixed martial arts, teqball, and surfing. Qatar will host the next Asian Games in 2030, though the OCA may delay the event by a year to serve as continental Olympic qualifiers ahead of Brisbane 2032.