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China dominated the first day of swimming at the Asian Games with Yu Zidi and defending Olympic champion Pan Zhanle taking gold. Yu easily won the 200-meter butterfly on Sunday at the Olympic pool in Tokyo, and Pan took the 100 free where he holds the world record set two years ago in Paris. Yu swam a personal-best time and fellow Chinese Chang Mohan took silver with bronze for Misa Okuzono of Japan. Yu is a swimmer the world is watching heading to next year’s world championships in Budapest, Hungary, and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
AP
The opening ceremony of the Asian Games has marked the official start of the 16-day event. But Saturday's official opening was not really the beginning. Facing a packed schedule, competition in basketball started on September 10. The semifinals in men’s basketball were on Friday. Soccer has been going on for almost as long. The Summer Olympics typically start a few days early, but this multi-sport event pushes the envelope. The Asian Games feature at least 11,000 athletes. The 2024 Summer Olympics had 10,700. The last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023 had about 12,000 athletes and this could match it.
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The Olympic Council of Asia is attempting to quell complaints about lodging for athletes and officials at the Asian Games. It said Friday that all “17,000-plus athletes and officials” that registered by the entry deadline in July have been provided “games-appropriate accommodation.” The games open officially on Saturday and run through Oct. 4 and feature at least 11,000 athletes, more than the Summer Olympics. Japanese officials decided against building a dedicated athletes villages and opted for accommodation on a cruise ship, in hotel rooms and temporary wood containers. There have been complaints from some countries.
AP
The Asian Games are often identified as the second most important multisports event after the Summer Olympic Games. They date from the first edition in 1951 in New Delhi, India, and were last held in 2023 in Hangzhou, China. Those games were delayed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a by-the numbers look at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan that run from Saturday through Oct. 4.
AP
FILE - United States' Brady Tkachuk (7), Matthew Tkachuk, center, and Zach Werenski (8) celebrate after their overtime win against Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
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FILE - United States' Connor Hellebuyck (37) celebrates after defeating Canada during a men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
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The Asian Games are larger in numbers than the Summer Olympics, which gives you an idea of the magnitude and logistics. The Paris Olympics in 2024 involved 10,700 athletes. The Asian Games will open Saturday in Nagoya, Japan, with more than 11,000 athletes signed up. In fact, the number may be much larger as organizers have acknowledged a last-minute crush of athletes and officials attending. The Asian Games held three years ago in Hangzhou, China, officially listed almost 12,000 athletes, and the event this time could reach that level.
AP
French judo star Teddy Riner wants to end his stellar career with a fourth individual Olympic gold medal at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. The heavyweight will be 39 years old then and would be competing in his sixth Olympics. Riner says that he once again wants to win “the most beautiful of medals.” The 11-time world champion Riner was ruled out of next month’s worlds due to a lingering right shoulder injury and is working his way back to full fitness. In the meantime he has signed for Paris Saint-Germain's judo club until 2028.
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FILE - Golden medalist France's Teddy Riner poses on the podium of the judo men's +100 kg event in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
AP
Jimmer Fredette has decided to return to playing basketball, stepping down as managing director of USA Basketball's men's 3x3 program. Fredette and USA Basketball announced the decision Tuesday. He plans to play this weekend in a FIBA 3x3 tournament in Phoenix. Fredette retired in April 2025 after an injury at the Paris Olympics. He says the idea of playing again crept into his mind a few months ago. Fredette discussed it with his wife and received her support. USA Basketball officials also encouraged him to pursue playing. Fredette says he's excited to compete again.