Hussein Al-Musallam: The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 record numbers reflect the success of the Asian Games

The records witnessed by the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games have become the most prominent indicators of the success of the current edition, after athletes recorded 54 world records, 11 world records for juniors, 89 Asian records, and 212 records in Japan, in a tally counted by Hussein Al-Musallam, Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, as a reflection of the environment provided by the organizing committee. For athletes.

Al-Musallam stressed, during a press conference that received great attention in Aichi-Nagoya, that the Asian Games strengthened the ability of sports and its influence on the continent, and contributed to uniting its people and consolidating the values ​​of peace, solidarity and unity, stressing that the size of the records recorded during the competitions would not have been achieved without creating the appropriate conditions for the athletes and enabling them to perform at their best levels.

He praised the efforts made by the organizing committee, along with the governor, the mayor, the secretary-general, the workers and the volunteers, during the stages of preparation, organization, and preparation of facilities and facilities for the launch of the competitions, stressing that the Asian Games are no longer just sports competitions, but rather have become a platform for developing sports on the continent and enhancing communication between its peoples, despite the circumstances and challenges the world faces.

Al-Musallam explained that the impact that the Asian Games had on the continent goes beyond results and medals, as it contributed to the development of sports and created a peaceful environment that brings together Asian countries despite conflicts and disputes in Asia and beyond, in addition to the economic problems that the world witnessed.

He added that what is happening in Aichi-Nagoya reflects the image of a united Asia in sports, preserving the principles of peace, solidarity and unity, which was embodied in the participation of 45 National Olympic Committees, along with the refugee team, under one umbrella.

Al-Musallam cited the history of the Asian Games and its role in bringing countries and peoples together, noting the participation of North and South Korea in some tournaments, including the 2002 tournament, which witnessed them running together as one team, in addition to the 2018 tournament, which witnessed them competing jointly and achieving medals.

The Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia revealed that the Aichi-Nagoya edition achieved gains on the commercial level, after the Council recorded a 19 percent growth in marketing and sponsorship compared to the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in 2023.

Al-Musallam considered this growth an indication of the confidence of sponsors, partners, and holders of television broadcasting rights and digital platforms in the Asian Games. It also reflects the status of the continent and its National Olympic Committees and their ability to unite even in the most difficult circumstances.

He touched on the challenges faced by the organizing committee during the preparations for the tournament, stressing its success in presenting an event that reflects Japan’s ability to organize world-class sports competitions, by creating a suitable environment for athletes, achieving a high level of coordination and providing a peaceful atmosphere for competitions.

He explained that the tournament did not impose large financial burdens on the organizing committee, and did not rely on huge projects that could not be benefited from after the end of the competitions, in the context of ensuring sustainability and benefiting from the facilities and facilities.

Al-Musallam pointed out that the coordination committee and the follow-up team were keen over the past years to give athletes a pivotal role in preparing for the tournament, and to benefit from the experiences of athletes who had previously participated in the Olympic and Asian Games in evaluating facilities and residences.

Evaluations included temporary villas, containers and a cruise ship before the start of the competitions, with the aim of ensuring their suitability and comfort for the athletes, especially in light of the participation of more than 8,000 athletes in the current edition.

He praised the technical levels witnessed in the competitions and the accompanying world and Asian records in a number of games, stressing that these results reflect the quality of the environment provided by the organizing committee for the athletes, including the remarkable world record set by the Japanese swimmer in the 200 meters (breaststroke) race with a time of 2:04.

Al-Musallam stressed that the Olympic Council of Asia does not treat a specific sport as the most important, but rather seeks to give various sports and athletes opportunities to participate and compete, in a way that reflects the great sporting and cultural diversity that characterizes the Asian continent.

Speaking about e-sports, he explained that the Olympic Council of Asia began paying attention to it in 2007 in Macau, at a time when there was no Asian or international federation specializing in it, pointing to the great popularity enjoyed by its competitions in Aichi-Nagoya, and what this reflects in its growing presence among various age groups in Asia.

He stressed that the Council will reconsider the future of e-sports within the Asian Games based on the level of demand and interest it receives.

At the conclusion of his speech, Al-Musallam revealed that 40 National Olympic Committees out of 45 participants were able to win medals during the tournament, considering this as further evidence of the expansion of the circle of sports competition on the continent.

He stressed that the Asian Games will continue to play its role as a platform that brings together countries and peoples, after sports have proven their ability to overcome differences and difficulties, stressing that the Asian continent, despite its differences, remains united in the sports field.

He concluded by emphasizing that the Olympic Council of Asia is not satisfied with raising slogans of peace, unity and solidarity, but rather works to transform these principles into a tangible reality through sports and the Asian Games.