Games ‘worst ever’ after anthem mix-up

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 24, 2026

The Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture faced multiple organizational failures, including flag and anthem mistakes and inadequate athlete accommodations, which have continued into the ongoing Asian Para Games. These issues have sparked criticism despite Japan's strong reputation for event management, highlighting concerns about preparation for future large-scale sporting events.

The recently concluded Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, have been widely criticized for a series of organizational failures, drawing attention to ongoing issues as the Asian Para Games continue. Organizers faced a range of problems during the 16-day event, which took place earlier this month, including athlete accommodation complaints and protocol errors during ceremonies.

Among the most notable incidents were the incomplete raising of the South Korean flag following the country’s football victory over Japan and the mistaken playing of North Korea’s national anthem for South Korean hockey players. These errors sparked discontent from athletes and officials alike, overshadowing some of the competitions.

The difficulties have persisted into the Asian Para Games, currently underway, where similar mistakes have occurred. On Monday alone, incorrect anthems were played three times, according to event officials who attributed the errors to problems with the event’s music software. For example, during the female taekwondo medal ceremony, Mongolian gold medalist’s victory was marked by the opening notes of Iran’s national anthem. The anthem was promptly stopped, and the correct music was eventually played. Later, an Iranian anthem was played again following a victory by Taiwan’s men’s taekwondo team. Additionally, China’s win over Iran in sitting volleyball was celebrated with the South Korean anthem, deepening frustrations.

Ichiro Hirosawa, mayor of Nagoya—the main host city for the Games—expressed regret over the repeated issues, stating, “We are sorry that such issues happened again.” These mishaps stand in stark contrast to Japan’s prior record of sports event management, including the widely praised handling of the COVID-19-affected Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The Asian Games, one of the world’s largest multi-sport events with more participants than the Summer Olympics, had faced challenges from the start. After winning the hosting bid in 2016, rising construction costs forced organizers to cancel plans for a dedicated athletes’ village. Instead, athletes were housed in hotels, temporary wooden accommodations, and even a cruise ship. The resulting conditions drew sharp criticism from participants. The Korea Basketball Association described the facilities as “the worst it has ever been” after complaints that beds provided to players were too short.

These logistical shortcomings, along with the ongoing protocol mistakes, have marred what is otherwise a significant and celebrated sporting event in Asia, raising questions about planning and execution ahead of future editions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.