Asian Games close after 2 weeks of turmoil, record-breaking performances

The curtain came down on the Asian Games on Sunday, with officials hoping the fortnight in Japan would be remembered not for the chaos dogging every step but for the athletic performances that brought more than 150 world, junior and continental records.

In keeping with the overall approach of the Games, the closing ceremony was a strange affair, which felt a little like adults trying to be cool in a room full of teenagers.

The fact it took place in front of rows and rows of empty seats at a venue that even at the height of the athletics competition was nearer to being empty than full did not help.

Neither did the slow trickle of athletes who entered during their parade. With many of those who competed already at their next event or at home, the ones who remained did what is common on such occasions: mixed freely, laughed and joked, and took selfies.

Cado Lee Ka-to led a smiling Hong Kong group, mostly made up of his rugby sevens teammates and sailors, into the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, while a video of highlights played in the background.

Hideaki Ohmura, the president of the local organising committee, told those at the ceremony that he believed local support for athletes had come because their “outstanding performances touched our hearts and gave us courage, hope and inspiration”.

Earlier, in a closing press conference, suggestions that the organisational issues would ultimately overshadow any significant athletic endeavour were shut down by Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) director general Husain Al-Musallam.

The Kuwaiti pointed to the 54 world, 11 junior world and 89 continental records set in Nagoya, Tokyo and elsewhere, and said it was an achievement that “does not come without the best environment”.

“The athletes cannot perform if they don’t have transportation,” he said. “The athletes cannot perform if they don’t have good healthcare. The athletes cannot perform if they don’t eat food. Numbers talk, it’s ⁠evidence. We are here ⁠to present you the evidence.”

Hong Kong chef de mission Wong Po-kee would argue otherwise, and he praised the city’s athletes for delivering “outstanding performances, despite the difficult circumstances”.

“Their determination, perseverance and willingness to overcome challenges made these remarkable achievements possible. Their accomplishments made us all proud.”

Next up will be Doha, which organisers are still branding as 2030, although the expectation is there will be a five-year gap as the Games switch to being in the year before an Olympics, with more events doubling up as qualifiers.

The sovereign state staged the Games 20 years ago, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the country’s prime minister and foreign minister, said it was an honour to take over “responsibility as the next hosts”.

“Doha 2030 will build on the legacy of Doha 2006 while looking ahead to a new generation of athletes, fans and communities across Asia,” he added. “We will approach this responsibility with humility, partnership and a deep respect for the cultural diversity and aspirations of our continent.”

Much of the event after the Games officially closed centred on Doha, and the entrance of Qatar’s equestrian Jassim Al Kuwari on Red Raiden to collect the OCA flag provided one of the brighter moments.

Things picked up a little bit thereafter, with an earnest MC dressed like a game show host trying to convince athletes to dance with performers before a singer in a gold kimono and fireworks brought proceedings to a close.