Nagoya, Japan, September 20, 2024: The Governor of Aichi Prefecture, Mr. Hideaki Ohmura, said the Asian Games in 2026 can build on the momentum of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Japan won 20 gold medals at Paris and finished third in the medal rankings, and Governor Ohmura said this can only benefit the 20th Asian Games in two years’ time.
Addressing the second morning of the OCA Coordination Committee meeting on Friday, he said: “The recent Paris Olympics featured outstanding performances by athletes connected to Aichi-Nagoya.
“We are eager to build on this momentum and bring it forward to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
“To achieve this, we must ensure that our preparations for the Games meet the expectations of local residents, who will play a key role in building excitement and enthusiasm for the event.”
Governor Ohmura, who is also President of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC), added: “There may be various challenges as we move toward the Games, so I look forward to receiving valuable advice and feedback from all of you as we work together to overcome any hurdles and ensure the success of the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.”
The OCA Coordination Committee members are visiting Nagoya for the second time, after their first meeting in January. The Governor described it as an “important milestone” just two years ahead of the opening ceremony on September 19, 2026.
“Since the first Coordination Committee meeting, we have made significant progress in several areas. In May, we presented a plan at the OCA General Assembly to use the hotel ship as accommodation for athletes.
“In July, we unveiled our mascot ‘Honohon’ to promote the Asian Games. Today, we signed the Memorandum of Agreement regarding our first partnership contract with 361°, and on September 17 we reached an agreement to move forward with negotiations for a contract with Tobu Top Tours.
“By fully utilizing the hotel ship and many of the already existing sports venues and lodging facilities in Aichi-Nagoya, we aim to present a new sustainable model for international sports events.”