Asian Games 2022: Oceania athletes to compete in Hangzhou, China next year and will receive ‘honorary medals’

Oceania athletes, including those from Australia, will be allowed to compete in five sports: triathlon, athletics, wushu, roller skating and weightlifting

Athletes from Oceania have long been eyeing the Asian Games and they now have a chance to challenge regional giants China, Japan and South Korea

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Oscar Coggins, of Hong Kong, seen here competing at Tokyo 2020 in the triathlon, could line up against Australian and New Zealand athletes next year at the Asian Games. Photo: AP

Published: 5:06pm, 22 Nov 2021Updated: 2:47pm, 7 Jan 2022

More than 300 athletes from Oceania countries have been given the chance to compete at next year’s 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in September.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced the unprecedented move at its 40th general assembly in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. The OCA’s director general Husain Al Musallam said athletes from Oceania who finish in the top three of an event will receive “honorary medals” that will not be counted in the final medal tallies.

The Oceania region includes Australia, a Summer Games powerhouse who took 46 medals in Tokyo, 17 of of the gold, which put them sixth overall in the medal standings. Hong Kong were 49th with six medals.

Countries from the Oceania region, particularly Australia, have long been eyeing a place in the Asian Games, which has emerged as the second biggest multi-sports event behind the Summer Olympics. Hong Kong triathlete Oscar Coggins, who came 33rd at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, hopes the move will not impact athletes using the event as a springboard to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.

Asia’s top track and field stars could face some increased competition from Oceania countries next year. Photo: AFP

Five Oceania triathletes – three Aussies and two Kiwis – finished ahead of Coggins at the triathlon competition at Tokyo 2020.

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Asian Games 2022: Oceania athletes to compete in Hangzhou, China next year and will receive ‘honorary medals’

Oceania athletes, including those from Australia, will be allowed to compete in five sports: triathlon, athletics, wushu, roller skating and weightlifting Athletes from Oceania have long been eyeing the Asian Games and they now have a chance to challenge regional giants China, Japan and South Korea