OCA president urges politics be kept out of Asian Games after Lee Yang standoff in Nagoya

Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani urged that politics be kept out of sport after a standoff in Nagoya on Friday when Taiwan’s sport minister Lee Yang was initially stopped from attending a flag-raising ceremony at the Asian Games. Taiwan’s delegation refused to take part in the ceremony in protest and it began more than an hour later after Lee was allowed inside.

Speaking at a press conference in Nagoya, Sheikh Joaan said, "I think that our focus here is on the athletes and on making sure that everyone, all the athletes, have the equal rights in competing and in having their freedom," and added, "So I don't think the politicians or politics should be involved in sports. That's my opinion." He also said he was not familiar with the details of the incident but maintained that athletes and their participation should remain at the centre of the Asian Games.

Lee, a former Olympic badminton champion who serves as Taiwan's sport minister, was initially prevented from attending the flag-raising ceremony on Friday; his delegation then refused to take part and the event commenced more than an hour later after he was allowed inside. The report notes that Lee was later allowed to attend the ceremony after the initial disagreement.

Taiwan's cabinet described the episode as "unreasonable obstruction" and said the minister had secured the necessary credentials for entry. OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam said the flag-raising ceremony was organised for participants at the Games and was not intended for government representatives, adding, "(It's) not for the delegation from the ministry or from the government."

Several delegations raised issues over transport and accommodation arrangements during the Aichi-Nagoya Games. Sheikh Joaan defended the local organisers over accommodation problems, saying efforts were being made to resolve issues as they emerged and that, "I think everything is hopefully being back on track."

The Games have a record 43 sports and 469 medal events, making the Asian Games programme larger than the Summer Olympics, which feature 32 sports and 329 events; the OCA has defended the expanded schedule, which includes virtual taekwondo for the first time, while breaking and esports remain part of the programme. Al-Musallam said, "We are very proud that the Asian Games (are) bigger than any other games with low cost," and organisers will now look to address operational concerns while ensuring the attention remains on the athletes and sporting competition.