Anthems, transport, housing: What’s gone wrong at the Asian Games in Japan?

Accommodation crisis, transport gaffes, and national anthem mix-ups headlined the Games ahead their opening in Japan.Published On 20 Sep 202620 Sep 2026A glitzy opening ceremony offered some respite and a more cheerful welcome for athletes and officials attending the Asian Games in Japan after a string of mishaps had headlined the build-up to the continental sporting event.Five years after the Tokyo Olympics were held at empty venues due to COVID-19 restrictions, Japan welcomed fans to the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya for a curtain-raiser that was initially subdued before bursting into a festival of colour and sound.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4What’s the Asian Games accommodation crisis, and where will athletes stay?list 2 of 4Alex Eala firm on Asian Games participation despite threat of WTA finelist 3 of 4Record-breaking Rumesh’s javelins broken during travel ahead of Asian Gameslist 4 of 4North Korea thrash Bangladesh 10-0 in Asian Games women’s footballend of listOrganisers will hope the ceremony can draw a line under a rocky build-up, laden with complaints from athletes and officials involving accommodation and transport.Hosts Japan bagged the first ...