NAGOYA, Japan – The president of the Olympic Council of Asia said politics had already entered the Asian Games after a dispute involving Taiwan’s sports minister disrupted a welcome ceremony in Nagoya.
Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani said Saturday that politicians and politics should not be involved in sport, while acknowledging that the issue had become part of the Games ahead of the official opening ceremony.
The comments followed an incident Friday involving Lee Yang, Taiwan’s sports minister and a two-time Olympic badminton gold medalist.
Lee was initially prevented from entering a team welcome and flag-raising ceremony at the athletes’ area in Nagoya. Taiwan’s delegation subsequently declined to participate, and the ceremony was delayed for more than an hour before Lee was permitted to enter.
Dispute over Taiwan official’s access
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 organizing committee had announced before the Games that team welcome ceremonies would include delegation introductions, flag raising and the playing of an anthem. The events were scheduled from September 16 through 18 and were open to designated delegation representatives, athletes and officials.
Taiwanese officials said Lee had the necessary credentials but was nevertheless prevented from entering.
Taiwanese media reported that officials were told the Olympic Council of Asia had issued an order barring Lee, but they said they were unable to produce a written directive when asked to see it. It remains unclear from the public record whether such a formal order existed.
The OCA subsequently characterized the incident as a misunderstanding. OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam said the flag-raising ceremony was intended for participants in the Games rather than government or ministry delegations.
Lee was ultimately allowed to attend the ceremony.
OCA president calls for politics to stay out
Speaking to reporters in Nagoya on Saturday, Sheikh Joaan said the focus should remain on athletes and their ability to compete equally.
He said the OCA had procedures for dealing with incidents involving delegations and that participants knew the relevant protocols.
His comments did not assign public responsibility for the initial decision involving Lee. Instead, he emphasized the OCA’s position that political considerations should not interfere with sporting competition.
Taiwan’s side presented the episode differently.
Chen Shih-kwei, a vice president of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, said the delegation had sought equal treatment and participation. Lee later said Taiwanese officials were trying to protect their rights and avoid what he described as suppression.
Taiwan competes in the Asian Games under the designation Chinese Taipei, the name used by its Olympic sporting organization under longstanding international sporting arrangements. The political dispute surrounding Taiwan’s international status has repeatedly affected its participation in international organizations and sporting events.
The Games proceed after the dispute
The incident came as the 20th Asian Games formally opened in Nagoya on September 19.
The Aichi-Nagoya Games involve 45 National Olympic Committees and run through October 4. The OCA lists Chinese Taipei among the participating delegations alongside the People’s Republic of China and other Asian teams.
The Games feature a record 43 sports and 469 medal events. Some competitions began before the opening ceremony because of the size of the schedule.
The Taiwan dispute is not the only organizational issue facing the event. Delegations have also raised concerns about transportation and accommodation arrangements, including the use of temporary housing and a cruise ship because Nagoya does not have a conventional athletes’ village.
For the OCA, however, the immediate challenge is to keep the controversy surrounding Taiwan from becoming a broader disruption to the Games.
Sheikh Joaan’s remarks acknowledged that the political dimension had already surfaced while reiterating the organization’s stated priority: keeping competition centered on the athletes.
Reporting Credit: Olympic Council of Asia — statements and official information concerning the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games and OCA leadership; Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games Organizing Committee — official Team Welcome Ceremony protocol and event arrangements; Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee/Taiwan authorities — statements concerning Lee Yang’s participation and the disputed ceremony.
