Curtain falls on Aichi-Nagoya 2026 as Asia looks to the future

After more than two weeks of intense competition that saw more than 15,000 athletes from 45 countries creating almost 50 world records, the celebratory atmosphere at the Paloma Mizuho Athletic Stadium. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

The flag and the torch were passed, the athletes celebrated and Aichi-Nagoya bid adieu to the Asian Games here on Sunday the way it had started – highlighting Japan’s culture and history and with hopes of sports unifying the continent going forward.

After more than two weeks of intense competition that saw more than 15,000 athletes from 45 countries creating almost 50 world records, the celebratory atmosphere at the Paloma Mizuho Athletic Stadium on Sunday relegated all the logistical nightmares, venue mismanagement and organisational shortcomings to the background.

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Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani declared the Games officially closed after the 90-minute programme witnessed by Japan’s crown prince and princess. The OCA torch and flag were handed over to Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who passed it to Olympic, World and Asian high jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim as a mark of formal handover. Qatari rider Jassim Al Kuwari entered on a horse, took the flag from Bashim and rode out.

The OCA Flag becomes Doha 2030’s first guest, arriving four years before the Games. | Photo Credit: AP

“Tonight, as we lower the flag on Aichi-Nagoya 2026, we close these Games but we raise the bar for Asian sport. The flame may be extinguished but the hopes it has ignited will continue to burn brightly across our continent,” Hamad Al Thani said. The empty space at the centre of the rainbow heart logo from the opening ceremony was replaced with ‘One Asia’ for the closing, to highlight the sense of unity.

A laser show, with performances from artists of the Nagoya school of music and dance, was followed by the athletes parade. The Indian contingent was led by shooter Neeru Dhanda as the flag-bearer, who had to leave Japan and return due to the country’s strict gun laws, who arrived with the other flag-bearers before the rest of the contingents joined accompanied by light and music for the athletes’ parade.

A hexagonal stage placed at the centre of the stadium, adorned with lanterns, saw a bon-odori performance, a traditional Japanese dance transcending age and genders with local singers joining in for a rendition of Matsuken Samba II that finally brought the curtains down on the event.