By Ian Ransom and Amlan Chakraborty
NAGOYA, Japan, Sept 19 (Reuters) – The 20th Asian Games open in Nagoya on Saturday, with organisers on the defensive after a string of operational gaffes and logistical problems in the buildup to the massive, multi-sport event.
Five years after the Tokyo Olympics played out at empty venues due to COVID-19 restrictions, Japan will welcome fans to a glittering opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium from 6 p.m. (0900 GMT).
The local organising committee will hope the ceremony comes off without a hitch and can deliver some positive momentum for the Games following a slew of complaints from athletes and officials involving accommodation and transport.
Japan’s reputation for precision and efficiency has been under scrutiny as the nation welcomes more than 11,000 athletes from 45 nations and regions competing for 369 gold medals in a whopping 43-sport programme.
Instead of building a dedicated Games village, organisers have the athletes and officials staying in a mix of hotel rooms, temporary wooden containers and a cruise ship docked in the bay as a cost-cutting measure.
Several national team delegations, including hosts Japan, have found the arrangements below par, complaining of mix-ups and double-bookings, while South Korea said the containers at Garden Pier were too cramped for their basketballers.
India’s powerful cricket board took matters into their own hands, arranging for the men’s star-studded cricket team to stay in a separate hotel due to a tight allocation of beds from organisers.
Delegations have also lamented long waits for the athletes registering on arrival and have found buses turning up late or sending their athletes to the wrong venues.
The Olympic Council of Asia, which runs the quadrennial Games, acknowledged the problems on Saturday but played them down as teething difficulties.
“From what I’ve seen, the local authorities here have been solving any issues that are happening, and I think now that everyone is settled, everything is hopefully being on track,” OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani told reporters.
Organisers may hope the opening ceremony directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi can draw a line under the troubled buildup.
Its theme, “Harmonic Heart Beat”, is intended to communicate Asian solidarity at an event often riven by geopolitical tension and historic grudges.
However, hopes for a peaceful Games have already been undermined by several incidents even before the event opens.
Taiwan’s delegation temporarily refused to participate in their welcoming ceremony on Friday after sports minister and former Olympic champion Lee Yang was blocked from attending it.
The South Korean men’s hockey team were upset when North Korea’s national anthem was played at the stadium before a match instead of their own.
While competitions for basketball, soccer and other sports have already started, the first gold medal will be won on Sunday, likely in the triathlon.
A high-class swimming competition kicks off in Tokyo on Sunday, with the programme featuring China’s 100 metres freestyle world record holder Pan Zhanle and 13-year-old sensation Yu Zidi.
Apart from traditional Olympic sports, the Games will stage regional favourites kabaddi and sepak takraw along with quirky, modern events.
Esports will award medals again after making its debut at Hangzhou, while teqball, a mix of table tennis and soccer, and “virtual taekwondo” will make their first appearance at the Games.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom and Amlan Chakraborty; Editing by William Mallard)
