How geopolitical tensions tainted the 2026 Asian Games

As world politics has become more divisive, international sporting contests are often turning into a stage for political contention.

The 2026 Asian Games in Japan drew to a close on October 4 following two weeks of competition between 45 countries and territories across 43 sports. Despite the official slogan “imagine one Asia” , fragmented regional politics came to the fore as the event unfolded.