Asian Games open in Japan with a field bigger than the Summer Olympics as politics cast a shadow

From the Newshound archive · first published 20 September 2026.

The Asian Games have officially opened in Japan, marking the start of a 16-day competition whose athlete count surpasses that of a Summer Olympics and whose programme features several sports largely unknown to Western audiences. The Olympic Council of Asia president has already conceded that politics are casting a shadow over the event. Taiwan's participation status is one of the flashpoints attracting scrutiny. AP photo editors have released a gallery of spectacular ceremony images.

The Olympic Council of Asia president admitted politics have already made their presence felt at the Games.

AP photo editors have published a gallery of opening ceremony images from the Japanese host city.