Asian Games open with sparkling ceremony, message of unity following chaotic build-up

Japan’s royal family and IOC president among those in attendance at a subdued Paloma Mizuho Stadium to watch show created by Yukihiko Tsutsumi

Organisers tried to put a chaotic build-up to the Asian Games behind them on Saturday with a sparkling opening ceremony in Nagoya, although not even an acrobatic aerial display by Japan’s Blue Impulse team could silence the criticism swirling over their heads.

Barely a day has gone by over the past week where complaints have not been made about the state of official accommodation, transport, venues and some of the other facilities being used for the Games.

Just hours before Japan’s royal family and International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry took their seats at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Joaan ‌bin Hamad ‌Al Thani did his best to smooth things over by saying he thought everything was “hopefully back on track”.