The Asian Games in Japan are set to conclude on Sunday, marking the end of a fortnight characterized by record-breaking athletic performances, particularly from young stars, but also by administrative errors, sparse crowd attendance, and allegations of mismanagement.
Over 17,000 athletes and officials, a figure exceeding that of the Olympic Games, convened in Nagoya and the Aichi prefecture for the continent's premier sporting event. Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, at just 13 years old, emerged as a standout performer, securing three gold medals, all achieved with Games-record times. Her exceptional performance, which included victories in the 200m butterfly and the 200m-400m individual medley, led to her being named a Games MVP. Despite her success, the young athlete expressed humility, stating she does not consider herself a prodigy. In the swimming events, 17-year-old Japanese swimmer Shin Ohashi set a new world record in the men's 200m breaststroke, delighting the home crowd.
The athletics competition was affected by adverse weather conditions, with rain impacting several days of events. Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson achieved a notable double by winning both the 100m and 200m races, earning him the title of men's MVP. Boonson, 20, expressed confidence that his performance would translate to success at future major events. Meanwhile, North Korean weightlifter Ri Song Gum, standing at 140cm (4ft 7in), set three new world records in a single day to secure a gold medal.
Despite the athletic achievements, the Games faced significant organizational challenges. The absence of a traditional athletes' village, implemented as a cost-saving measure, resulted in athletes being housed in temporary units, a cruise ship, and hotels. This arrangement led to complaints of cramped conditions and inadequate facilities, with some teams reporting insufficient accommodation. Organizers defended this approach as a potential model for future multi-sport events, but logistical issues persisted, including transportation problems and venue mix-ups, such as the playing of North Korea's national anthem for the South Korean hockey team.
Attendance figures were a particular concern, with the opening ceremony reportedly having thousands of empty seats. A women's football semi-final between Japan and South Korea saw only 998 spectators in a stadium with a capacity of 50,000. This led to sharp criticism from some national Olympic committee officials. Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, gave the organizers an "F" grade. Japanese Olympic Committee president Seiko Hashimoto acknowledged the numerous problems but expressed Japan's continued interest in hosting international events, attributing some attendance issues to poor weather.
The medal table was dominated by China, which secured 169 gold medals, with host nation Japan finishing second with 83 golds. Japan's medal count included a historic gold for Yuki Kurihara, who at 11 years old, won an eSports competition, potentially making him the youngest champion in the history of the Games. The event also featured the debut of several sports seeking Olympic inclusion, including padel, MMA, and virtual taekwondo.
