Japan says 2026 Asian Games prep remains on track

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan are going “smoothly,” its chairman said Wednesday, after reports the governing body told organizers to make significant improvements.

Japanese media said the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is not happy with preparations for the event in Nagoya and the wider Aichi Prefecture area and has accused organizers of not sticking to the host city contract.

Aichi governor Hideaki Omura, who also serves as chairman of the local organizing committee, told reporters that preparations were on schedule.

“We are taking this in a calm manner and my understanding is that preparations are progressing smoothly,” he said.

Reports said the OCA has demanded improvements in several areas, including accommodation and transport for athletes and teams.

As many as 15,000 athletes could compete at the 19 September to 4 October Games — even more than the Olympics.

The OCA has reportedly asked organizers to think again about their accommodation plans, which are said to involve housing athletes in container units and on a cruise ship.

“We received opinions on the progress at a coordinating committee in September. We are preparing based on this,” an organizing committee spokesman told AFP.

The spokesman added that they have discussions with the OCA on “a daily basis.”

AFP has approached the OCA for comment.

The previous Asian Games were held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in 2023, one year later than planned because of the pandemic.

The Filipinos had a very memorable participation in the previous Asian Games as they came up with four gold medals, including that from men’s basketball.

Powered by naturalized player Justin Brownlee with Tim Cone as head coach, the Philippine squad, known as Gilas Pilipinas, made an impressive run after beating host China in the semifinals before creaming Jordan to clinch the gold medal in men’s basketball for the first time in more than six decades.

The victory was greatly celebrated, prompting the federation to stick with Cone to call the shots in future international events.