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

The Asian Games opening in Nagoya has been overshadowed by a run of organisational problems even as a vibrant opening ceremony provided a more positive moment for competitors and spectators. Weather warnings and a recent record deluge in the region kept large sections of the 30,000-capacity stadium empty, and a typhoon threat has loomed over the coming days. Officials offered conflicting statements about ticket sales, with the Olympic Council of Asia's director general saying about 70% had been sold while an onsite announcement declared the ceremony sold out.

A major source of contention has been accommodation. Organisers opted not to build a traditional athletes' village, instead placing roughly 17,000 athletes and officials in a mix of hotels, temporary wooden containers and a cruise ship as a cost-saving measure. Several national delegations reported substandard conditions, mix-ups and double bookings; South Korea specifically said the containers at Garden Pier were too cramped for their basketball players. India arranged separate hotel accommodation for its men's cricket team and reported community support from around 2,000 local families who offered to house athletes if needed. The International Olympic Committee president, Kirsty Coventry, publicly expressed support for the organisers and praised the accommodation arrangements.

Transport issues further disrupted teams' preparations. South Korea's men's basketball side missed a light practice session after their shuttle bus failed to arrive, and the men's football team experienced buses not turning up and an instance when a bus transported them to the wrong venue, causing delays. These gaffes occurred just as multiple events were already underway ahead of the formal opening ceremony.

Protocol missteps also featured in the run-up to competition. At a men's field hockey match, North Korea's national anthem was mistakenly played before South Korea's game against Bangladesh; stadium staff apologised after the error. The mistake carried particular sensitivity because the North Korean anthem and related symbols are banned in South Korea. Despite the problems, competition proceeded, with host nation Japan securing the first gold of the Games when Takumi Hojo won the men's individual triathlon.

Organisers face the immediate task of resolving accommodation and transport shortcomings while managing weather-related disruption and public perception as the Games continue. Delegations and officials have publicly reported operational problems, and restoring smooth logistics will be key to athletes' preparations over the coming days.