Asia

Asian Games Close in Nagoya as Flag Passes to Doha for 2030

Published Oct 4, 2026, 7:53 PM · 51 minutes ago

Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of an archival May 2026 interior view of Nagoya's Mizuho athletic stadium, with an empty green field, red running track and roofed red-and-gray stands; venue context, not the October 4 closing ceremony or flag handover, rendered in warm ochre and slate-blue pastel strokes.

Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani officially closed the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Sunday. The OCA flag passed from Aichi-Nagoya to Qatar, whose capital Doha will host the 21st Asian Games in 2030. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accompanied the handover, and Olympic and world high-jump champion Mutaz Barshim participated. The ceremony also featured the torch and flag of the first Asian Games, held in New Delhi in 1951.

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