Asian Games venues and athletes unharmed by extensive flooding in Nagoya, Japan
Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa confirmed that Asian Games venues and athletes remain safe despite severe flooding in the city. While some temporary housing units required evacuation, officials expect the games to proceed as scheduled starting September 19.
Why it matters
The event is a major international sporting competition, and the assurance of safety is vital for the participation of over 11,000 athletes.
Athletes who've arrived early for the Asian Games were unharmed by extensive flooding that hit the central Japanese city of Nagoya, Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said on Wednesday (September 9, 2026).
“We are not worried about the conditions of the venues and we believe there is no problem holding the Asian Games as planned,” Mr. Hirosawa told reporters.
The Asian Games, an event with more athletes than the Summer Olympics, open September 19 in Nagoya and surrounding areas and run through October 4.
More than 11,000 athletes are signed up from 45 countries and regions in Asia. By comparison, about 10,700 athletes participated in the Summer Olympics in 2024 in Paris.
The previous edition of the Asian Games was held three years ago in Hangzhou, China.
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