Rulers win the sports-political battle

The biggest sporting event of the year has begun in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China: 61 disciplines, more than 12,000 participants in the Asian Games. Image: AP

At the start of the Asian Games in China with 12,000 athletes, the impression is that Asia’s rulers are “just winning” the sports policy battle. Sport provides them with the templates.

In the past few days and weeks, the most important sport in Germany has had to deal with its strongest opponent – itself. Meanwhile, the world continued to turn, completely independent of the sensitivities and personnel decisions at the German Football Association. And it is turning in a certain direction, even in the autumn sports season of 2023. In Saudi Arabia, the football league, the crown prince’s premium project funded with billions of euros, announced that it was a success across the board even before the seventh match day: more goals, more spectators , more growth, more reach.

Meanwhile, the biggest sporting event of the year began on Saturday in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China: 61 disciplines, more than 12,000 participants in the Asian Games. The Olympics in Paris next year are, as far as these numbers are concerned, a significantly smaller number. Days before the opening, the managing director general of the organizing Olympic Council of Asia, the Indian Vinod Kumar Tiwari, had instilled in the participants an essential rule of conduct: Anyone who makes a statement in Hangzhou that could be interpreted as a political or religious protest will be thrown out.