The Olympic Council of Asia has cancelled the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Bangkok-Chonburi after the AIMAG Organising Committee failed to meet the standards required in the Host City Contract by the final deadline of 17:00 Bangkok time on Monday, 19 August 2024. The 6th AIMAG Games was scheduled to be held from 21-30 November 2024 after being postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent change of government in Thailand.
The AIMAG Organizing Committee submitted a progress report at the 43rd OCA General Assembly in Bangkok in May last year, promising that all requirements for the Games under the Host City Contract will be ready by July 2024.
At an emergency meeting held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, the OCA Executive Board unanimously agreed to cancel the Games unless the AIMAG Organizing Committee met the nine conditions necessary to guarantee the Games can go ahead by 17:00 Bangkok time on Monday, August 19, 2024. As these conditions were not met by the deadline, the OCA was forced to cancel the Games.
The OCA offers its deepest condolences to the athletes who were scheduled to compete in AIMAG and recognises the significant impact this decision will have on them. The OCA made multiple attempts to ensure the Games could go ahead, but it was clear that this was not possible and, in the best interest of the athletes and all stakeholders, the OCA has cancelled the Games. The OCA will work with each country's National Olympic Committee (NOC) to ensure that athletes receive the necessary support.
The OCA Executive Committee also unanimously agreed that if Thailand wishes to host AIMAG beyond the next Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2026, it may apply to the OCA following normal procedures.
Source: OCA press release
