| Purpose | Multi-sport event for Asian athletes |
| Frequency | Every four years |
| Event name | Asian Games |
| First held | 1910 in Tokyo, Japan |
| Participants | Athletes from across the Asian continent |
| Significance | Fostered Asian nationalism and cultural exchange • Highlighted rivalry and competition between emerging Asian powers • Contributed to the growing influence of Asia on the world stage |
| Also known as | Far East Games |
The Asian Games, formerly known as the Far East Games, are a continental multi-sport event held every four years among the athletes from Asia and the Pacific. First organized in 1910 in Tokyo, the Games have grown to become the second-largest multi-sport event in the world, after the Summer Olympics.
The Far East Games were established in 1910 in Tokyo, the capital of the Empire of Japan. The initial event featured only athletes from East Asian nations under Japanese influence, including Japan, China, and the Korean Peninsula. These early Games were used by Japan as a means of asserting its growing regional hegemony.
Over the following decades, the Games gradually expanded to include more countries from across the Asian continent. In 1934, the event was renamed the Far Eastern Championship Games and began admitting countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and British India. Finally, in 1954, the name was changed to the Asian Games, reflecting the full scope of Asian participation.
The Asian Games have long been a site of intense competition and geopolitical rivalry between the major powers of Asia. Japan dominated the early editions of the Games, leveraging its growing industrial and military might to overwhelm its regional rivals. However, the rise of Chinese and Indian sports programs in the mid-20th century gradually shifted the balance of power.
The ongoing tension between Japan and China has been a major storyline of the Asian Games throughout its history. The two Asian superpowers have fought for dominance in the medal table, with their fierce rivalry also playing out on the political stage. Other emerging powers like South Korea, Iran, and Kazakhstan have also become major forces in recent decades.
Beyond the athletic competition, the Asian Games have played an important role in fostering a sense of Asian identity and nationalism. The event has served as a platform for the exchange of Asian cultures, customs, and traditions. Ceremonies and cultural performances have been a central part of the Games since their inception.
The Asian Games have also been closely tied to the broader movements of decolonization and Asian self-determination in the 20th century. Many participating nations used the Games to showcase their growing economic and political influence, contributing to a rising tide of pan-Asian solidarity.
Today, the Asian Games continue to be a major global sporting event, with 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) currently part of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) that oversees the Games. The most recent edition, the 2022 Asian Games, was held in Hangzhou, China, featuring over 11,000 athletes competing in 42 sports.
While Japan, China, and South Korea remain the dominant forces, the participation and performances of athletes from across the diverse Asian continent have steadily grown. The Asian Games are widely seen as an important stepping stone for many Olympians, and a key part of the region's rich sporting heritage.
