Asian Games: Some top controversies that grabbed headlines over the years

Be it the Indian Embassy attack at Jakarta in 1962 or the Horrific death of an equestrian in 2006, or Sarita Devi refusing her bronze medal in 2014, the Asian Games has had its fair share of controversies over the years.

Asian Games is an event where the sport always takes the centrestage. It is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. However it hasn’t been without its fair share of controversies that grabbed the headlines over the years.

The 19th edition of the Asian Games is all set to get underway from 23rd September. Ahead of the upcoming edition, IndideSport takes a look at the controversies that has rocked the quadrennial event in the past.

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Top Controversies in Asian Games

1962 – Indian Embassy attack in Jakarta

The 1962 edition of the Asian Games was hosted by Indonesia at Jakarta. Taiwan was fighting for its right to sovereignity at that time. Indonesia decided to exclude Taiwan from participating in the event. It was believed that Indonesia took that decision after being pressurised by China. Meanwhile, Israel was also excluded after pressure from Middle East owing to religious differences.

India’s Guru Dutt Sondhi was the vice-president of the Asian Games Federation at that time. He proposed that the title of Asian Games be withdrawn if Taiwan and Israel did not feature in the Games. Sondhi’s statements did not go well with the Indonesians and the Indian Embassy was attacked by stone-pelters. Sondhi had no option but to flee the country before the Games. The tournament eventually began without Taiwan and Israel.

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2006 – Rider loses life in Equestrian

The 2006 Asian Games at Doha witnessed a tragedy. 47-year old experienced rider Kim Hyung Chil lost his life in a shocking incident in Equestrian. His horse Bundaberg lost its balance after attempting to jump a fence. In the event, the rider was thrown from his saddle and was crushed by the horse which landed on his head.

The South Korean athlete passed away immediately. Following the incidents, competitions came to a halt for two hours. It was the first and the only time that an athlete lost his life while competing in the Asiad.

2014 – Boxer Sarita Devi refused to accept her ‘bronze’ medal

One of the biggest controversies grabbed the headlines in the 2014 edition of the Games. India’s boxer Sarita Devi refused to accept her bronze medal in protest against biased judging towards the home nation South Korea. The Games were hosted by Incheon in that edition.

Sarita Devi, who was 32-years old back then was probably competing in her final Asiad. She was competing in the 60kg weight category. The Indian made it to the semifinal. She played against South Korea’s Park Jina for a spot in the final. In the bout, Sarita dominated as she was all over her opponent. However in a shocker, the judges gave the verdict in favour of the Korean.

Surprised by the decision, India appealed against the judgement. However a new AIBA rule enforced at the time did not allow a country to challenge the judes’ decision. Sarita was only assured of a bronze medal.

The next day during the medal ceremony, Sarita made it to the podium. However once her name was announced, she broke down in tears and refused to accept the medal. However the presenter requested her to atleast have it in her hand. Sarita agreed to it but soon she put the medal around Park Jina’s neck as a mark of protest. Jina requested the Indian to take the medal back. Sarita relented and in the end the Korean left the medal on the podium.

2018 – Official Mascot replaced after public criticism

Unlike the previous ones, this is not a big controversy. However in the last editon, hosts Indonesia had to redesign their mascot following a public outcry. After 1962, Jakarta once again hosted the Games in 2018. Ahead of the event, Derawan, a bird of paradise was unvelied as the official mascot in 2015. Soon after its release, it drew fierce criticism from the public.

The design was selected after a competition process that saw hundreds of entries. However the public had claimed that the design looked old fashioned and people also criticised that it resembled more like a chicken than an exotic bird.

Soon, the Indonesian Youth and Sports Ministry decided to create a new mascot for the Games. In 2016, not one but a trio of animal mascots were unveiled officially. The three characters were Bhin Bhin, a bird of paradise, Ika, a one horned rhinoceros and Atung a Bawean Deer. The trio were said to represent Indonesia’s diversity and they finally became the official mascots of the Games.

Athletics