Concerns and controversies at the 2014 Asian Games

2014 Asian Games

A number of concerns and controversies surfaced before and during the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, which received varying amounts of media coverage both domestically and internationally.

Prior to the Games

Sponsorship and organization

The Games were hit by lack of sponsorship and a lack of interest from the public with only 18% of the tickets for the opening ceremony sold a week before the Games.[1] Organizers were able to generate more interest but there were a few hundred empty seats in the 61,000-capacity stadium at the start of the opening ceremony.[2] There was a shortage of free shuttles provided for journalists and athletes in the days leading up to the Games.[3] Organizers supplied more shuttle buses for the late-night shifts at the request of various international media organizations.[4]

When the identity of the final torch bearer was revealed to be Lee Young-ae, there were mixed reactions in the local press as she had no direct ties to sports. However, she ultimately passed the torch to a pair of young South Korean athletes and the three lighted the cauldron in unison.[5]

Honorary ambassadors dropped from set-list

The honorary ambassadors of the Games, Korean group JYJ, were reportedly dropped from the opening and closing ceremonies and were relegated to perform in the pre-opening ceremony instead,[6][7] Other confirmed artists such as Psy, Big Bang, CNBLUE and Exo will continue to perform on stage during the opening and closing ceremonies.[8] After the news broke out, fans asked IAG for fair treatment of the group.[9] Eventually, the JYJ sang the official song of the Games.[10]

Nationality issues

In basketball, Olympic Council of Asia's eligibility rule on naturalized players, which contradicted the eligibility rule set by FIBA, became controversial as such rule disqualified Quincy Davis, a US-born player playing for the Chinese Taipei team, and Andray Blatche, a naturalized player of the Philippines, from participating in the tournament.[11] In accordance with the rule, OCA also refused South Korea's request to include Aaron Haynes in the squad, an American veteran player in Korea's basketball league who was in the process of naturalization.[12] Both OCA officials and IAGOC claimed that the OCA's eligibility rule requires a naturalized player to live minimum of three years in the country of his naturalization before becoming eligible to play for that country.[13] Nevertheless, Chinese Taipei Basketball Association stated that it received the positive confirmation from OCA regarding the participation of Quincy Davis, which was suddenly overturned due to the fact that Davis was two months short from residing three full years in Chinese Taipei. Some basketball fans argued that the host nation South Korea brought up the regulation rule at the last minute in order to not allow enough time for its major opponents to reconstruct their squads. Meanwhile, others said that South Korea was just enforcing the OCA's regulation and the South Korean team themselves were also negatively affected by the rule.[11][12] Despite the request of FIBA to reconsider the enforcement of the eligibility rule, both OCA and the organizing committee upheld their decision.[14]

Female participants and FIBA ban on hijab

Saudi Arabia was the only participating NOC to not send female athletes to the Games despite international pressure from organizations including the Human Rights Watch. The country was accused of taking a step backwards from the 2012 Summer Olympics, the first time in Olympics history that Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on female participation.[15] Mohammed al-Mishal, the secretary-general of Saudi Arabia's Olympic Committee, stated that women weren't included because none have reached the level for international competition.[16] A member of the Saudi Olympic committee later stated that the country plans to send women to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics.[17]

Qatar women's basketball team was hit by FIBA ban on Muslim headscarf, known as hijab. They were scheduled to play Mongolia but were disallowed. The team eventually withdrew from the tournament, refusing to remove the hijab.[18] FIBA claimed the ban was made due to safety concerns.[19] Qatar officials said the decision was insulting, disrespectful of the religion, and nonsensical as combat sports allow the hijab.[20] One player stated that they had been assured well before the Games that they would be able to wear hijab.[21]

Cycling venue

In cycling, Hong Kong cyclists had raised concerns after they found the competition venue would be an outdoor velodrome of 333 metres in length, instead of a 250 metres indoor velodrome, which is commonly in use during the Olympic Games and the World Cup. Hong Kong Cycling Association claimed that outdoor velodromes are rare in modern cycling and they have to travel far to practice in a similar environment.[22] The organising committee denied any advantage to the host nation. They also stated that the track was re-coated and received approval from Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).[23]

Competition issues

Women's 10 meter air-rifle

The Chinese team was initially disqualified after shooter Zhang Binbin was found to have violated regulations concerning maximum weight limits of her rifle. The disqualification was eventually reversed after a strong appeal by Chinese officials arguing that Zhang "didn't intend to break the rule". This allowed China to retain their team gold and a new world record.[24][25] This led to a series of allegations that members of jury favoured Zhang.[26]

Badminton

In badminton, Chinese coach Li Yongbo accused the hosts of manipulating the wind in the stadium, after China was defeated by South Korea in the final of the men's team event. Yongbo said, "We did not lose because of technique or tactics, but due to some man-made reasons. The South Koreans deliberately controlled the wind blow in the stadium and took advantage of it." Japanese coach Keita Masuda also alleged a similar case saying, "The wind in this stadium is very strange, always supporting the hosts. Every time we change sides, the wind seems to change sides as well."[27] Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon, a former world champion, also went on to blame the "strangely strong winds" for her defeat in the quarterfinals of the women's singles event against a South Korean opponent.[28]

Boxing officiating

Indian lightweight boxer Laishram Sarita Devi lost a highly controversial 60 kg semi-final bout against eventual silver medalist Park Jina of South Korea. Despite what many believed was a better performance by Sarita Devi, all three ringside judges ruled in favor of her opponent, leading to a 0–3 decision. The ringside judges were Braham Mohamad of Tunisia, Albino Foti of Italy, and Mariusz Josef Gorny of Poland.[29] The decision, which drew huge criticism, left Sarita Devi in a state of shock and she was seen weeping inconsolably.[30] Indian Olympic Association (IOA) office-bearers chose not to involve themselves with the situation, leaving Sarita Devi and her husband Thoiba Singh to lodge the protests by themselves.[31] They were unable to pay the USD$500 fee to lodge an official protest against AIBA until Sarita's coach Lenin Meitei and an Indian journalist paid the amount on their behalf.[32] Sarita Devi stunned officials and spectators by refusing to accept the bronze medal during the medal ceremony.[33] Devi initially took her bronze medal and placed it around Park Jina's neck. After reluctantly receiving her medal back from Park Jina, Devi left the medal on the podium after the conclusion of the ceremony.[34] In interviews following the incident, Sarita Devi stated, "It was a protest for all the sportsmen and women of the world against injustice in sport". She also criticized Indian officials by stating, "It has been 24 hours and not one official has come to speak with me and ask me if I am fine. They just come here to take photos with medalists and nothing else."[35][36] AIBA opened disciplinary proceedings against Sarita for returning her medal and Adille Sumariwalla, the head of the Indian Mission, criticized Sarita Devi for her behavior.[37][38] The following day, Sarita Devi offered an unconditional apology to AIBA for her emotional outbreak during the medal ceremony.[39] She also expressed regret for her actions at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) hearing and the governing body reinstated Sarita Devi's bronze medal.[40]

Shortly after Sarita Devi's controversial loss, Mongolian boxer Nyambayaryn Tögstsogt lost a controversial bout against South Korean Ham Sang-myeong in the 56 kg category. Nyambayar stayed in the ring for 5 minutes, protesting the results. The referees were booed by the crowd, and several Mongolian coaches arranged for a protest to be held.[41]

In men's 49 kg, India's Devendro Singh dubiously lost 0–3 in his quarterfinal bout against South Korea's Shin Jong-hun, despite out-punching his opponent in all three rounds. Singh's trainer Blas Iglesias Fernandes of Cuba said, "I wish these judges could be sacked... I suppose the only ones who thought the Korean had won were the judges."[42]

In men's 52 kg, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson was close to filing a protest against the decision in the match between Filipino boxer Ian Clark Bautista and his Korean opponent Choe Sang-don. Instead, he wrote a letter to Asian Games boxing tournament supervisor David Francis to seek a review of the questionable fights including this fight.[43][44]

Picson later criticized the judging in three additional fights involving Filipino boxers. In the light flyweight round of 16, Mark Anthony Barriga lost to South Korea’s Shin Jong-hun by unanimous decision. In the bantamweight semifinal bout, Mario Fernandez lost to China's Zhang Jiawei despite a better showing in the final two rounds. In the middleweight semifinal bout, Wilfredo Lopez lost to Jordan's Odai Riyad Adel Alhindawi in a split 2–1 decision. The ABAP executive expressed frustration in the results of all three matches stating, "I would concede that they were pretty close fights but, that said, we won them."[45]

In women's 57 kg, Thai boxer Sopida Satumrum lost a highly contentious decision to China's Si Haijuan. Two of the three judges scored a 38–38 draw while the third judge ruled 39–37 in favor of the Thai.[46] Under AIBA guidelines, the bout was declared a draw and the decision was deferred to a panel of five judges, which requires a majority decision. The five judges declared Si the winner of the bout.[47] Satumrum burst into tears after the result was announced and stated, "this is very cruel to me because I did much better than my opponent. I am 100% sure that I won."[46][48] Thai officials filed an official protest but organizers dismissed it saying the decision is beyond contention.[47]

Men's football

Worawi Makudi, the president of Football Association of Thailand, criticized the referees for making mistakes during the semi-final match between South Korea and Thailand. Coach Kiatisuk Senamuang voiced displeasure about the penalty kick awarded to South Korea following a foul outside the penalty area, which directly led to its second goal at the 45+1' minute mark.[49] Controversy continued as a South Korean defender used his arm to block the movement of the ball twice inside South Korea's penalty area. No call was not made on the handballs. South Korea won the match 2–0. Makudi stated that he would take the matter to the Asian Football Confederation but no official protest was lodged as of 4 October, the conclusion of the Games.[28][50]

Men's 71 kg Greco-Roman wrestling

Iranian wrestler Saeid Abdevali had defeated South Korean wrestler Jung Ji-hyun in the semifinal of men's 71 kg Greco-Roman event. The winner was declared to be Abdevali, but the Korean officials protested the result following which Jung Ji-hyun was declared the winner.[51] Jung Ji-hyun went on to win the gold medal, while Abdevali had to settle for bronze.[50]

Doping

Some 1,920 samples from 1,600 athletes were tested during the Games. Six athletes tested positive for banned substances and were sent home from the Games.[52]

On 14 September, five days before the opening ceremony, Tajikistan footballer Khurshed Beknazarov tested positive for methylhexanamine. He was subsequently suspended from all football activity for 30 days.[53] On 25 September, Cambodian soft tennis player Yi Sophany was found positive for sibutramine.[54][55] Sophany suspected that Sting, her favorite energy drink may have been the cause of her positive doping test results. The doping committee informed her that sibutramine can be found on energy drinks.[56] On 30 September, Malaysian wushu gold medalist Tai Cheau Xuen also tested positive for sibutramine. She was stripped of her gold medal.[57] Malaysian officials appealed against the disqualification but the appeal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).[58][59] The same day, Iraqi weightlifter Mohammed al Aifuri tested for positive for etiocholanolone and androsterone. It was his second failed drug test in six years.[60] He faces a ban by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), which had banned him once before in 2008 for taking metandienone.[61] On 1 October, Syrian karate fighter Nour-Aldin al-Kurdi tested positive for clenbuterol.[62] On 3 October, Chinese hammer thrower Zhang Wenxiu became the second gold medalist to be stripped of their gold medal after testing positive for zeranol.[52]

However, on 6 May 2015, Zhang's gold medal was returned after further testing performed by independent specialists that the presence zeranol was the consequence of the consumption of contaminated food.[63]

Other

Asian Games flame

Due to technical reasons, the Asian Games flame went out temporarily.[64]

References

  1. ↑ "Debts and empty seats taint start of 2014 Asian Games at Incheon". The National Sport. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "Asian Games gets off to ‘Gangnam Style’ start". The Malay Mail Online. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "亚运交通让人心塞 场馆分布分散需搭区间车前往". hinews.cn. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Isacc, Alex (1 October 2014). "[Asian Games] IBC, the home to CCTV and NHK for 2014 Incheon Asian Games". Korea Herald. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  5. ↑ Jee-ho, Yoo (19 September 2014). "(Asiad) Celebrity with no sports connection lights Asiad cauldron". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "JYJ excluded from Incheon Asian Games opener". ManilaBulletin. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "JYJ 측 공식입장 "인천AG 약속 지켜달라, 불공정 외압 아니길" [전문]". NATE. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "싸이·빅뱅·JYJ·엑소, 2014인천AG 개폐막식 선다". KoreaHerald. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "JYJ dropped from IAG opening and closing performances?". Hellokpop. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  10. ↑ Min-jin, Kim (20 August 2014). "JYJ to perform at Incheon Asiad opening ceremony". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  11. 1 2 Badua, Shelley (5 September 2014). "US-born player no longer eligible for Asian Games". Taipei Times. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  12. 1 2 Flojo, Enzo (19 September 2014). "Previewing the Asian Games basketball qualifiers". Rappler. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  13. ↑ Pedralvez, Manolo (8 September 2014). "SBP hints Gilas Asian Games boycott after OCA bars Blatche". Rappler. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  14. ↑ Lagunzad, Chris (6 September 2014). "FIBA backs Gilas for Andray Blatche’s eligibility in the Asian Games". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  15. ↑ "London 2012: IOC in talks with Saudi Arabia over female athletes | Sport | theguardian.com". guardian.co.uk. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "Saudi Arabia urged to end discrimination in women's sports". Arabian Business. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  17. ↑ "Asian Games: Women sidelined as Saudi Arabia selects all-male team". Reuters. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  18. ↑ Talmadge, Eric (25 September 2014). "Qatar Women Withdraw Over Asian Games Hijab Ban". abc News. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  19. ↑ "Hijab issue, drug controversies hit Asian Games". GMA News. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  20. ↑ France-Presse, Agence (25 September 2014). "Asian Games: Hijab Ban an Insult, Say Qatar Basketball Players". NDTV Sports. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  21. ↑ "Asian Games: Qatar women's team pull out over hijab ban". BBC Sport. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  22. ↑ "Hong Kong raise alarm over Asian Games old-style cycling track". South China Morning Post. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  23. ↑ Butler, Nick (2 April 2014). "Incheon 2014 unconcerned by criticism over track cycling venue at Asian Games". inside the games. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  24. ↑ Oh, Seok-min (22 September 2014). "(Asiad) China gets world record back in women's 10ｍ air rifle after ruling reversal". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  25. ↑ Rutherford, Peter (22 September 2014). "China shooters DQ'd, reinstated, set world record". Reuters. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  26. ↑ "Judoka Jeong defends Asiad title". The Korea Times. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  27. ↑ Noel Cudaihl, Justin (3 October 2014). "2014 Asian Games Results Tainted By Rampant Cheating Allegations Hurled Against Hosts South Korea". International Business Times. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  28. 1 2 "A host country's sporting bias is fool's gold". The Nation. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  29. ↑ "Mary Kom in final, Sarita Devi robbed of win at Asian Games". The Economic Times. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  30. ↑ "Asian Games: Boxer Sarita Devi refuses bronze after controversial decision". India Today. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  31. ↑ "Shameful: Sarita borrows appeal money from journalist as IOA officials sneak out". F.Sports. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  32. ↑ Vasavda, Mihir (1 October 2014). "Asian Games 2014: As Sarita Devi borrows to pay $500 as fee for lodging protest, IOA officials look other way". The India Express. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  33. ↑ "Asian Games 2014: Boxer L Sarita Devi refuses to accept bronze medal; Sports Ministry to seek report from IOA". dna. Zee Media Bureau/PTI. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  34. ↑ "What exactly happened? How Sarita Devi refused her boxing bronze medal". F.Sports. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  35. ↑ "Asian Games: I protested against injustice in sport, inconsolable Sarita Devi says". The Times of India. AFP. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  36. ↑ Chakravarty, Shubhodeep (3 October 2014). "Sarita Devi May be Punished for Returning Asian Games Medal". NDTV Sports. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  37. ↑ "Asian Games: Some in Indian team not happy with Sarita Devi's emotional outburst". The Times of India. PTI. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  38. ↑ "Boxer Sarita Devi faces AIBA probe for returning medal". The Times of India. PTI. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  39. ↑ "Sarita Devi apologises to AIBA for refusing medal". hindustan times. Reuters. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  40. ↑ "Olympic Council of Asia re-instates L Sarita Devi’s bronze medal". The Indian Express. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  41. ↑ Hicks, Daniel; France-Presse, Agence (1 October 2014). "Scuffles, protest over boxing decisions". ABS-CBN News.com. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  42. ↑ Masand, Ajai (30 September 2014). "Asiad: Dodgy judging knocks out Sarita, Devendro". hindustan times. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  43. ↑ Henson, Joaquin (29 September 2014). "Boxing trend ‘worrisome’ in Incheon". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  44. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (29 September 2014). "Philippines seeks review of 'questionable' Asiad results after controversial Bautista loss". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  45. ↑ Hicks, Daniel (3 October 2014). "Filipino boxing boss slams 'hometown' wins". GMA News. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  46. 1 2 Thongsombat, Kittipong (28 September 2014). "Thailand left fuming after Sopida defeat". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  47. 1 2 "Sopida felled by highly contentious decision". The Nation. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  48. ↑ "Asian Games: Indian boxer facing action over medal snub". Inquirer.net. Agence France-Presse. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  49. ↑ "Football – Men's Semifinal 1". Incheon2014ag.org. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  50. 1 2 "Asian Games: Controversy taints home team victories". The Korea Times. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  51. ↑ "Wrestler Abdevali Hurt by Unjust Exit from Asian Games". Tasnim News Agency. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  52. 1 2 Rutherford, Peter; Chakraborty, Amlan (3 October 2014). "Games-China's hammer champion Zhang tests positive". Mail Online. Reuters. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  53. ↑ "AFC suspends Tajikistan footballer for doping at Asiad". hindustan times. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  54. ↑ "Cambodian athlete expelled for doping at Asian Games". Malaysian Insider. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  55. ↑ "Two more athletes fail doping tests at Asian Games". hindustan times. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  56. ↑ Sony, Ouch; Wright, George (1 October 2014). "Disqualified Athlete Blames Energy Drink". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  57. ↑ "Malaysian gold medalist kicked out of Asian Games for doping (updated)". globalpost. Xinhua New Agency. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  58. ↑ "Malaysia to appeal gold medalist expulsion - Khairy". Astro Awani. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  59. ↑ "Malaysia lose appeal against doping failure". Yahoo! 7 News. AFP. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  60. ↑ "Asian Games 2014: Weightlifter from Iraq caught doping". The Cricket Country. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  61. ↑ "Iraqi weightlifter caught doping at Asiad". The Times of India. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  62. ↑ France-Presse, Agence (1 October 2014). "Track, Medal, Doping Rows Cloud Asian Games". NDTV Sports. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  63. ↑ Mulvenney, Nick; Ransom, Ian (6 May 2015). "Chinese hammer thrower Wang gets Asian Games gold returned". euronews. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  64. ↑ "Asian Games flame goes out due to technical reasons". IBN Live. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, December 17, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.