The Fourth Asian Games (Jakarta 1962) in a Transnational Perspective: Japanese and Indian Reactions to Indonesia's Political Instrumentalisation of the Games

Abstract

This article focuses on the Fourth Asian Games (Jakarta 1962) and the influence the Cold War, decolonisation and the Non-Aligned Movement had on international sports events. Caught between Indonesian nationalism under President Sukarno's ‘guided democracy’, pan-Asian responsibilities and the ‘Olympic ideal’, including not to mix sport and politics, a way had to be found to deal with Indonesia's decision to bar the participation of two member countries inthe Asian Games. Since the Games had been planned as a prestige project by the Indonesian government, foreign delegates faced the risk of serious political repercussions if Indonesia's behaviour was criticised or even challenged. Nevertheless, at the same time, international sports organisations put pressure on the delegates to uphold the ‘Olympic ideal’ of non-discrimination for political reasons. This article discusses how the Japanese and the Indian delegates responded to these incompatible demands.