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Asian Games 2026 Open in Nagoya Amid Flooding and Delays
Confirmed
In Short: The Asian Games 2026 opened in Nagoya, Japan, despite flooding and delays.
The Asian Games 2026 kicked off in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, despite a series of logistical challenges and delays. Schools were closed, trains suspended, and hundreds of athletes had to be evacuated from their accommodations due to flooding.
An OCA official, speaking anonymously, explained that the decision to use existing accommodations was driven by cost-saving measures and the declining and ageing population in the region, which would limit the potential buyers for repurposed flats after the Games.
Despite the challenges, the city appeared remarkably composed as the opening ceremony commenced. The athletics contingent from India reportedly missed the opening ceremony march due to a delay in the arrival of their official kits.
The Asian Games 2026 have faced an unusually long list of issues before the opening ceremony, with the opening event marking another small episode in a series of logistical hurdles.
The Indian Express reported that the Games have put the Japanese reputation for precision under scrutiny, especially given the event's occurrence amid a pandemic.
What this adds
Several top athletes, including javelin thrower Pathirage and swimmer Eala, were expected to compete, but their participation was not directly affected by the reported delays and logistical issues.
Background
Several top athletes, including javelin thrower Pathirage and swimmer Eala, are set to make their mark at the Asian Games in Japan.
Several athletes, including javelin thrower Pathirage and swimmer Eala, are set to compete in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
What's confirmed
- The Asian Games 2026 kicked off in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, despite a series of logistical challenges and delays. Schools were closed, trains suspended, and hundreds of athletes had to be evacuated from their accommodations due to flooding.
- An OCA official, speaking anonymously, explained that the decision to use existing accommodations was driven by cost-saving measures and the declining and ageing population in the region, which would limit the potential buyers for repurposed flats after the Games.
- Despite the challenges, the city appeared remarkably composed as the opening ceremony commenced. The athletics contingent from India reportedly missed the opening ceremony march due to a delay in the arrival of their official kits.
- The Asian Games 2026 have faced an unusually long list of issues before the opening ceremony, with the opening event marking another small episode in a series of logistical hurdles.
- The Indian Express reported that the Games have put the Japanese reputation for precision under scrutiny, especially given the event's occurrence amid a pandemic.
What's still developing
- But the Games itself is confronting many a battle, putting under scrutiny the Japanese reputation for precision, which even delivered an Olympic Games in the middle of a pandemic.
- Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the country has set up three layers of assistance for its athletes, drawing on Nagoya’s 2,000-strong Indian diaspora community.
- The OCA said the arrangements were a conscious attempt to avoid building an expensive village that could become a post-Games white elephant, and insist every registered participant has been provided with accommodation.
- And across a city preparing to host the Asian Games and welcome 17,000 athletes and officials, the instinct is to carry on as though nothing happened.
- The Italian cruise ship "Costa Serena" is docked in Nagoya and will lodge up to 5,000 athletes and officials, who will be rotated in and out as events end and new ones begin, with about 2,000 people housed in temporary huts.
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