Olympic Council of Asia president says politics should stay out of sports after Taiwan official barred at Asian Games in Japan

At the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Taiwan's sports minister Lee Yang was temporarily barred from a flag-raising ceremony on September 18, 2026, causing a standoff with the Taiwan delegation. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president, Sheikh Joaan Hamad Al Thani, said on September 19 that politicians should not be involved in sports. The OCA attributed the incident to a misunderstanding. The Games have also faced organizational issues, including transport and accommodation complaints. Lee Yang, a two-time Olympic badminton gold medalist, was later allowed to participate.