Asian Olympic chief calls for politicians to stay out of Games after Lee Yang row

Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has urged politicians to stay out of sport after Taiwan minister Lee Yang faced an entry dispute at the Asian Games.

In Short

• OCA chief Sheikh Joaan said politics should not be involved in sports
• Taiwan sport minister Lee Yang was initially stopped from attending a flag-raising ceremony
• OCA Director said the ceremony was meant for participants, not government officials

Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has called for politics to be kept away from sport after a standoff involving Taiwan’s sport minister Lee Yang at the Asian Games in Nagoya.

Lee, a former Olympic badminton champion, was initially stopped from attending a flag-raising ceremony on Friday. Taiwan’s delegation then refused to take part in the event in protest, with the ceremony eventually beginning more than an hour later after Lee was allowed inside.

"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," Sheikh Joaan said in a press conference at Nagoya.

"So I don't think the politicians or politics should be involved in sports. That's my opinion."

The OCA president 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.

OCA CLARIFIES FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY

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.

"(It's) not for the delegation from the ministry or from the government," Al-Musallam said.

Lee was later allowed to attend the ceremony after the initial disagreement. Taiwan’s cabinet criticised the incident as "unreasonable obstruction" and said the minister had secured the necessary credentials for entry.

The controversy comes as the Aichi-Nagoya Games face other organisational concerns. Several delegations have raised issues over transport and accommodation arrangements for athletes during the event.

OCA BACKS EXPANDED NAGOYA PROGRAMME

Sheikh Joaan defended the local organisers over the accommodation problems, saying efforts were being made to resolve issues as they emerged.

"I think everything is hopefully being back on track," he said.

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.

"We are very proud that the Asian Games (are) bigger than any other games with low cost," Al-Musallam said.

The organisers will now look to address the operational concerns while ensuring the attention remains on the athletes and sporting competition.

- Ends