Asian Games president acknowledges politics influencing events
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 19, 2026, 7:00 AM
Last updated Sep 19, 2026
The president of the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, expressed concerns about political issues affecting the Asian Games during a media briefing in Nagoya, Japan, on September 19. A notable incident involved Taiwan’s sports minister, Lee Yang, who was temporarily barred from a welcoming ceremony, attributed to a misunderstanding by the organizing committee. Sheikh Joaan remarked on the need to separate sports from politics, emphasizing that protocols about participation are known and should be adhered to. Taiwan competes in these games under the name Chinese Taipei, reflecting its complex political relationship with China.
- •Sheikh Joaan discusses political influences at the Asian Games.
- •Taiwan's sports minister was briefly barred from a ceremony.
- •The incident was attributed to a misunderstanding by officials.
- •Taiwan competes under the name Chinese Taipei due to political reasons.
- •Sheikh Joaan stresses the necessity of keeping sports and politics separate.
- 7:00 AMYahoo Sports — Olympic Council of Asia president says politics have already entered into the Asian Games
"The president of the Olympic Council of Asia acknowledged Saturday that politics — in the form of a welcoming ceremony involving Taiwan — had already entered into the Asian Games. “I don't think, you know, the politicians or politics should be involved in sports,” said Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, speaking with media at the Asian Games.
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