Asian Beach Games to switch to four-year cycle

DANANG, Vietnam: A maximum of two athletes from each delegation will be allowed to compete in individual events at future editions of the Asian Games after a rule change approved here at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly.

This differs from the previous system, as well as the one adopted in the Olympic Charter, in which each National Olympic Committee was permitted three entries.

It was among several technical changes made to the OCA constitution, along with a proposal to switch the Asian Beach Games from a two to a four-year cycle.

"The General Assembly approved to change the OCA constitution to allow each National Olympic Committee to enter a maximum of two athletes in each sport in the Asian Games to minimize the number of participants, as opposed to following the Olympic Charter of three entries from each NOC," the OCA confirmed.

Specific sports will still have individual procedures, however, with some only allowing a maximum of one representative.

This new rule is also expected to be implemented at the Sapporo 2017 Asian Winter Games, due to take place between Feb. 19 and 26.

The change to the Asian Beach Games means the next edition will take place in 2020 rather than in 2018.

Danang 2016 marks the fifth edition of the continental event after an inaugural event in Bali in Indonesia in 2008 was followed by competitions in Muscat in Oman in 2010, Haiyang in China in 2012 and Phuket in Thailand in 2014.