Asian Games years could be moved in shake-up: Reports

HONG KONG – The Asian Games could be moved to odd-numbered years starting from 2031, so that the event takes place in the 12 months leading into the Olympics, reports say, reshaping the sporting calendar.

The reported proposal would mean Asia’s biggest sporting spectacle doubling up as qualifying and preparation for the Olympic Games, giving it added significance.

The 2026 Asian Games in Japan from Sept 19 to Oct 4 will be unchanged, but the 2030 edition set for Doha would be pushed back a year, after which the event will continue to be held every four years but in odd-numbered years instead of even ones.

The executive board of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has approved the idea and there will now be more talks with international sports federations, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said.

Specialist website Inside The Games said the proposal was discussed by the OCA in Sanya, the Chinese resort city currently hosting the Asian Beach Games.

Song Luzeng, vice-president of the OCA, told Xinhua: “It would allow the Asian Games to serve as a qualifying event for the Olympics, giving more elite athletes valuable competition opportunities and raising the overall standard of the Games.”

The OCA did not immediately reply to AFP’s request for comment.

The Asian Games are the continent’s biggest sporting event and typically involve more competitors than the Olympics.

When contacted, the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) said it experienced a similar adjustment when the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the Hangzhou Asiad being delayed by a year to 2023, a year before the Paris Olympics.

An SNOC spokesperson said: “If aligning the Asian Games more closely with the international sporting calendar enhances overall planning and athlete preparation, it is a move worth considering. We experienced a similar adjustment in 2023 when the Hangzhou Asian Games were postponed by a year and we adapted accordingly.

“As one of the few nations that consistently participates across the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, South-east Asian Games, Asian Games and Youth Olympic Games, Singapore manages a particularly dense major Games calendar. Spacing the Games more evenly could help create a more balanced cycle for our athletes and stakeholders.”

National swimming head coach Gary Tan said having the Asian Games in 2031 presents a good opportunity for swimmers to race in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

He noted that the SEA Games happening in 2031 might make things challenging, but said it is doable.

Tan added: “As a high-performance team, it’s about how we manage the racing and how we prioritise our athletes’ periodisation leading up to these key competitions.

“A Games is a Games. We will continue to work closely with the athletes and the wider Singapore Aquatics team to adapt our training and competition plans where needed, so that our swimmers are well primed to achieve their goals.” AFP