Controversies surrounding Iran’s delegation ahead of the Asian Games in Nagoya

🔸The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, have not yet been officially inaugurated, even though competitions in several sports have begun earlier, as in major tournaments. However, before the official start of the games, Iran’s delegation has attracted controversies and criticism rather than being in the news for medal prospects—ranging from the high number of managers and non-athlete companions to the sidelining of some well-known figures, the limited share of women, and concerns that once again have brought up the debate about athletes’ migration and asylum.

🔸Based on the final list of the National Olympic Committee, Iran’s delegation has 522 members, of whom only 305 are athletes. Accordingly, the other 217 people—about 42% of the total delegation—are present in technical, medical, executive, managerial, media, and support roles.

🔸This figure has been criticized because Iranian sports officials have repeatedly pointed to resource constraints and said their policy is “quality dispatch”; meaning that athletes are to be sent who have a chance to achieve results and medals.

🔸At the farewell ceremony for the delegation, it was initially said that 312 athletes would be dispatched, including 215 men and 97 women; but the final list announced the number of athletes as 305. Therefore, the final number of athletes is seven fewer than the figure announced at the farewell ceremony.

🔸One of the main axes of criticism is the ratio of athletes to accompanying personnel. At the beginning of the delegation list, the names of 15 managers and officials were seen—from the Minister of Sport, the President and Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee, and members of the Executive Board, to the Deputy Minister of Sport, the President of the Sports Committee of the Parliament, and representatives of the Organization for Inspection, the Audit Court, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Five people from this group were also introduced as guests of the Asian Olympic Council.

🔸In addition, 11 people are present in the management/oversight staff, two in security, and 10 in the medical and physiotherapy staff. This ratio has drawn more attention in some sports.

🔸Read the full report on Radio Farda’s website.