Asian Games Open in Nagoya After Rocky Build-up

September 19, 2026 | 07:50 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 20th Asian Games officially opened at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, with a ceremony that centered on unity and togetherness. Returning to Japan after more than 32 years, the build-up to the multi-sport event was marred by several logistical and weather issues.

Citing The Strait Times, these include complaints of unsatisfactory living conditions on the cruise ship and wooden containers housing thousands of athletes and officials for the duration of the games.

Japanese officials opted against building a dedicated athletes village for the Games, citing cost-saving efforts. "We don't want to leave a white elephant after the games here," Tayyab Ikram, deputy chairman of the Olympic Council of Asia athletes commission, said Friday, as quoted by ESPN. "So it was not easy discussions, but it was also not a compromise, because then we find a very unique kind of alternatives." 

This condition was exacerbated by severe weather in the region, which had been seeing record rainfall earlier this month and is bracing for the possibility of a typhoon hitting the Aichi-Nagoya coast. ESPN reported that hundreds of athletes had to be evacuated last week amid the extreme rainfall, while the women's cricket opener between Bangladesh and China on Thursday was called off due to the weather.

Despite this, the opening ceremony was off to a triumphant start at the 30,000-seater Paloma Mizuho Stadium, kicking off with a dance performance and Japanese musician Taro Hakase’s violin solo.

Hailing the concept "Harmonic Heart Beat," the opening ceremony reflected the spirit of mutual respect and friendship across Asian nations, according to Ohmura Hideaki, President of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games Organizing Committee.

Citing Antara, Ohmura expressed his hope that the athletes would demonstrate their best abilities, deliver awe-inspiring performances, and foster dreams and hopes for Asia's young generation.

Besides the sporting events, Ohmura urged participants and visitors to enjoy the richness of Aichi-Nagoya, including its historical sites, nature, fermented food, and traditional culture.

The Asian Games this year features about 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories across 43 sports. The Games will run through October 4.

Read: Rain Disrupts Schedule Ahead of 2026 Asian Games Opening

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