Asian Games 

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Latest news on the Asian Games, covering medals, results, host cities, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), athletics, swimming, cricket, esports, team selections and Asian multi-sport competition.

The Asian Games, also known as the Asiad, is the largest multi-sport event in Asia and is among the biggest in the world. It is held every four years, midway between Summer Olympic Games. Dozens of national Olympic committees from across the continent send thousands of athletes. The OCA owns and organises the Games.

Competition runs from Olympic staples such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics and football to sports with deep regional roots. Kabaddi, sepak takraw, wushu, cricket and dragon boat racing sit alongside newer additions such as esports. Medal tables are closely watched, with China, Japan and South Korea traditionally strong. Debates about the sporting programme, doping controls, hosting costs and the balance between Olympic and regional sports recur.

The Games mean a great deal to national pride and to athletes who use them as a stepping stone to the Olympics. Opening ceremonies showcase host cultures, from Hangzhou to Aichi-Nagoya in Japan. Stories of underdog medals, record performances and unified teams often resonate well beyond sport. The Asian Para Games follow the main event for athletes with disabilities.

The first Asian Games took place in New Delhi in 1951, with 11 nations and six sports. The event grew steadily, with Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, China and Qatar among its hosts. Tokyo staged the Games in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. The 2026 edition in Aichi-Nagoya was the 20th, while the Hangzhou Games were delayed to 2023.

Our NewsNow Asian Games feed brings together news, results, medal updates, host city stories and OCA announcements from trusted sources. Follow Asian athletes, team selections, esports and traditional sports, all updated through the day.