Typhoon put people off Asian Games opening ceremony, says official

Warnings of a typhoon partly explained why the Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya took place in front of thousands of empty seats, organisers said Sunday.

Saturday’s gala at the 30,000-capacity stadium officially launched the continent’s premier sporting event, with Japan’s emperor and empress in attendance.

Fireworks brought the show to a rousing conclusion, but while parts of the arena were full, others were noticeably devoid of people.

Olympic Council of Asia director general Husain Al-Musallam said they had to keep one block empty because of the Games flame.

“This is one part,” he told reporters, adding that more than 70 percent of tickets were sold.

That contrasted with an announcement at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium that said the ceremony was sold out.

“But maybe if you remember, it was a typhoon warning coming to Nagoya and at the last minute the typhoon shifted,” Al-Musallam added.

“So the same question I’ve been asked, what happens if the typhoon is coming? That could affect the situation.”

There was no rain during the ceremony and the storm, having days earlier shaped as a potential threat to the Games, made a greater impact in the Tokyo region.

There was heavy rain there on Sunday, where some Games events are being hosted — notably the swimming — with possible wet weather forecast for Nagoya later Sunday and Monday.