Day: August 14, 2025

The Asian Games are the biggest multi-sport event in Asia. They are held every four years and feature 45 sports and disciplines. All nations and regions affiliated with the Olympic Council of Asia can participate. The Games were first held in 1951, shortly after World War II ended. The aim was to reestablish bonds among Asian countries through sport and contribute to everlasting peace in the region.

The 2026 edition will be hosted by Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City. It will be the third time that Japan has hosted the Games, following Tokyo 1958 and Hiroshima 1994. The Organising Committee AINAGOC is aiming to create the best Asian Games, fostering cooperation and friendship across Asia and leaving a legacy that will help enhance regional sports exchange.

The organisers have prepared a contingency plan to evacuate athletes housed in the Athletes’ Village in case of tsunami, typhoon or any other natural disasters. They will be able to depend on Japanese authorities for their experience in dealing with such emergencies, said officials. Besides, the organisers have also informed the 45 competing nations of the details of temporary accommodation, which will be on a floating village near the Sano International Cricket Ground. The games will be held from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya. This period is considered the peak of typhoon season in Japan. The organisers will also provide shuttle buses between competition venues and public transport stations. They will also implement measures to curb private cars around the Games-related facilities, and manage travel demand.

For many elite athletes, retirement is not an option but a requirement when their bodies give out. Others, however, choose to hang up their spikes and move on. In either case, it can be a difficult transition for many athletes. The good news is that there are ways to ease the blow, such as second careers in business, coaching and politics or even philanthropy. Many retired athletes also endorse products and find a comfort in being part of the public eye. For example, former WNBA star Tom Brady is a best-selling author and TV personality.

The financial transition can be especially difficult for some. Athletes often spend thousands of dollars on elite training and equipment, forgo regular employment and train around the clock. This can leave them broke, with some even resorting to food stamps and credit card debt in the aftermath of their career. It’s no wonder that many retirees struggle to identify with something other than their sport. According to a recent scoping review published by British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), the majority of athletes interviewed reported feeling unprepared for life after their career.

For athletes like Team GB swimmer Alice Dearing, who knew she would retire if she failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, it’s understandable that she feels emotionally and psychologically unprepared for her impending departure. It’s also true for Olympic gold medallists who have decided to do a U-turn on retirement, such as Tom Daley, who came back from two years away from diving in 2021 to win silver in the men’s synchronised 10m platform event.