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The Asian Para Games 2026 have come under scrutiny after organisers mistakenly played incorrect national anthems on three occasions on Monday. The incidents involved medal ceremonies in para taekwondo and a women's sitting volleyball match, prompting an apology from Ichiro Hirosawa, Nagoya's mayor and acting head of the organising committee.
According to the organising committee, the errors occurred because of incorrect settings in the music playback software. The mistakes involved the national anthems of Iran, Mongolia, Taiwan, China and South Korea, raising concerns about the arrangements at the international sporting event.
Asian Para Games 2026 Anthem Controversy: What Went Wrong?
The controversy began on Monday when incorrect national anthems were played during two para taekwondo medal ceremonies. Organisers later confirmed that technical issues with the music playback software were responsible for the mistakes.
The incidents affected athletes representing Mongolia and Taiwan, who had won gold medals in their respective events. The errors led organisers to interrupt one ceremony and repeat another to ensure the correct national anthem was played.
Iran's National Anthem Played During Mongolia and Taiwan's Gold Medal Ceremonies
Mongolia won gold in the women's para taekwondo event, while Taiwan secured gold in the men's competition. However, Iran's national anthem was mistakenly played during both medal ceremonies instead of the winners' respective national anthems.
Organisers stopped the incorrect anthem during the women's medal ceremony and then played Mongolia's national anthem. The men's medal ceremony was held again on Wednesday to ensure that the correct anthem was played for the Taiwanese gold medallist.
China National Anthem Mix-Up: South Korea's Anthem Played by Mistake
The third incident occurred during a women's sitting volleyball match between China and Iran. During the match, South Korea's national anthem was mistakenly played instead of China's anthem.
Officials stopped the incorrect anthem after identifying the error and then played China's national anthem. The incident added to the concerns surrounding the repeated technical mistakes at the Asian Para Games.
Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa Apologises for Repeated Anthem Errors
Ichiro Hirosawa, Nagoya's mayor and acting head of the organising committee, apologised publicly on Wednesday following the incidents.
"We are sorry that such incidents have happened again," Hirosawa said, expressing regret over the repeated errors.
The organising committee attributed the mistakes to incorrect settings in the music playback software. The incidents have highlighted the importance of thorough technical checks and coordination during medal ceremonies and other official proceedings at international sporting events.
Asian Games Anthem Controversy: Similar Mistake Reported Earlier
A similar national anthem error was reported during the Asian Games on September 18. During a men's hockey match between South Korea and Bangladesh, North Korea's national anthem was mistakenly played instead of South Korea's anthem.
The latest incidents at the Asian Para Games have renewed attention on the importance of correctly identifying and playing national anthems at international competitions. Such ceremonies are significant moments for athletes and their countries, making accuracy and proper coordination essential for event organisers.
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