Nagoya, Japan, October 4, 2026: East met West at the closing ceremony of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Sunday evening.
In a delightful ceremony that captured the essence of the Games slogan “Imagine One Asia”, the OCA flag was passed from Aichi-Nagoya 2026 to the State of Qatar, whose capital Doha will host the 21st Asian Games in 2030.
Doha offered a glimpse of what’s to come with the appearance of an elegant horse and rider as if they had emerged from the video screen; such was the impact on the spectators inside the stadium. After a few rounds of the stage in the centre of the arena, the horse and rider disappeared down a tunnel – setting the scene for a beautiful video journey through Doha and the exotic delights on offer.
His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, served as the man in the middle of the handover ceremony from East to West, accompanied by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and OCA Vice President for Doha 2030, HE Jassim Rashid Al Buenain.
In his closing speech, Sheikh Joaan thanked the organisers – and the people of Aichi-Nagoya – for creating an environment in which the athletes could thrive in their pursuit of excellence.
“We have seen how Asia can rise with ‘Imagine One Asia’,” he said, adding that the athletes had captivated the world and left a legacy to be proud of in terms of world records, Asian records and Asian Games records.
“You raised the bar for Asian sport,” he told the athletes.
Before declaring the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 officially closed, he called on the youth of Asia to assemble in Doha in four years’ time for the 21st Asian Games.
Qatar’s most famous athlete, Olympic and World high jump champion Mutaz Barshim, also took part in the handover ceremony, which involved the torch and flag of the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951 as well as the OCA flag.
The closing ceremony was attended by Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Akishino.