OCA Discusses Moving Asian Games to Odd Years Before Summer Olympics
2030 Doha and 2034 Riyadh editions would shift to 2031 and 2035 if proposal is approved
L'essentiel
- The Olympic Council of Asia has agreed to discuss shifting the Asian Games to odd-numbered years, the year before the Summer Olympics, at a board meeting in Sanya, China.
- If approved, the 2030 Doha Games and 2034 Riyadh Games would move to 2031 and 2035 respectively.
- The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games remain unaffected, creating a five-year gap to the new 2031 Doha edition.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
The Asian Games are traditionally held every four years in even years, two years before the Summer Olympics. Other continental multi-sport events including the Pan American Games, European Games and African Games have already moved to odd-numbered years (the year before the Olympics).
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has agreed to begin discussions towards shifting the year of the Asian Games to an odd-numbered year, the year before the Summer Olympics, at a board meeting earlier this week in Sanya, China where the Asian Beach Games are being held.
If approved, the 2030 Games in Doha, which were originally scheduled to run from November 4 to 19 that year, and Riyadh's 2034 edition would move to 2031 and 2035, respectively. The 20th edition of the Games, Aichi-Nagoya Games 2026, which will be held from September 19 to October 4, remains unaffected.
The proposed change will mean that there will be a five-year gap between the Nagoya and Doha games.
It was reported that this proposal was also discussed at the board meeting in February, when Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, who took part in the meeting, said it was the International Olympic Committee's call to move the Asian Games to odd-numbered years, and "the OCA has to follow and adopt the recommendation of the IOC".
Traditionally held two years before the Olympics in even years, the change would align the Asian Games with other continental multiple-sports events including the Pan American Games, European Games and African Games, now all scheduled in the year before the Olympics.
Speculation has emerged that the Asian Games could serve as the qualifier for the Olympic Games if the calendar is changed.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
OCA will likely approve the calendar change in the next 1-2 years
Probable · En quelques mois
Asian Games may become Olympic qualifier in future cycles
Possible · En quelques années
Questions ouvertes
- When will a final decision be made on the proposal?
- How will the five-year gap between 2026 and 2031 affect athlete preparation?
- Will the qualification system for the Olympics change if Asian Games become a qualifier?
