Asian Games close in Nagoya; OCA flag handed over to Doha
In short
The 20th Asian Games closed on October 4 with a ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, where the Olympic Council of Asia flag was handed to Doha, the next host. China News Service reported the ceremony included a “Doha 8 minutes” segment with Arab-themed performances. The Doha organizing committee has said the schedule for the next Games is still under discussion, with late 2030 and 2031 both possible.
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The 20th Asian Games closed on October 4 with a ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, where the Olympic Council of Asia flag was handed to Doha, the host of the next edition. China News Service said the ceremony was held in the evening at Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya. Jiemian, citing CCTV News, reported that the flag was handed to Qatar's Doha. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
China News Service reported that the ceremony included a “Doha 8 minutes” segment with Arab-themed performances. The Doha organizing committee has said it is still discussing the schedule of the next Asian Games with the OCA, Asian sports federations and the athletes' commission, and that late 2030 and 2031 are both options. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The handover sets up Doha as the next host of the Asian Games, a continental multi-sport event that draws athletes and officials from across Asia. The unresolved question of dates leaves the competition calendar for the next edition open, according to the Doha organizing committee.
Key facts
- The closing ceremony of the 20th Asian Games was held on October 4 in Nagoya, Japan. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- China News Service reported the ceremony took place in the evening at Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya. [ 4 ]
- The Olympic Council of Asia flag was handed over at the ceremony to the organizers of the next Asian Games in Doha. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- A “Doha 8 minutes” segment featuring Arab-themed performances was staged at the ceremony, according to China News Service. [ 4 ]
- The Doha organizing committee said it is still discussing the next Asian Games' schedule with the OCA, Asian sports federations and the athletes' commission, with late 2030 and 2031 both possible. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the next Asian Games will be held in late 2030 or in 2031. Only China News Service reports this, citing the Doha organizing committee's statement that discussions with the OCA, Asian sports federations and the athletes' commission are ongoing.
- Details of the “Doha 8 minutes” performance. Mentioned only by China News Service, with no further detail in the other documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yicai publishes a report on the OCA flag handover ceremony, with Doha as the next stop. [ 1 ]
- China News Service reports that the 20th Asian Games closing ceremony was held on October 4 in Nagoya, Japan. [ 2 ]
- Jiemian reports the flag handover to Doha, citing CCTV News. [ 3 ]
- China News Service reports the “Doha 8 minutes” performance and says the next Games' schedule is still under discussion. [ 4 ]