19TH ASIAN GAMES | MEDAL TALLY

 

ASIA COUNCIL SAYS NORTH KOREA FLAG 🇰🇵 DISPUTE WITH WADA U RESOLVED

Reuters 

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said on Sunday it was trying to resolve the "sensitive issue" of its decision to allow North Korea to fly its flag at the Hangzhou Asian Games despite it being banned over non-compliance with global anti-doping rules.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned the flag at all major sporting events, outside the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in 2021 after deeming that North Korea had failed to implement an effective testing programme.

But the flag has been displayed throughout the 19th Asian Games: at the opening ceremony, in the athletes' village, and at competitions and medal ceremonies.

WADA said North Korea was still non-compliant with its anti-doping code and the OCA had failed to enforce its sanction.

OCA PAVES WAY FOR RUSSIAN, BELARUSIAN ATHLETES TO COMPETE AT ASIAN GAMES

Reuters 

Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete at the Hangzhou Asian Games to help them earn points to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) voted on Saturday that as many as 500 athletes from the two countries could compete under a neutral flag, but will not be permitted to win medals at the Sept. 28-Oct. 8 Games.

Registering an international result, however, could help pave their way to Paris.

In January, OCA acting president Randhir Singh told reporters "They won't interfere in our medal system or Asian quota for the Olympic Games."