6 hrs ago
Nagoya Asian Games Use Cruise Ship, Huts Amid Accommodation Complaints
The Asian Games are taking place in Nagoya, Japan.
Many athletes and officials need places to sleep during the event.
Instead of building one large athletes’ village, organisers are using a cruise ship, hotels, Airbnbs and small container-style huts.
The Costa Serena will house about 4,000 to 5,000 people.
Some athletes, including South Korean basketball players, have complained that some beds or rooms are too small.
Organisers say they chose this plan partly to support sustainability.
They say they are working to fix problems and have opened a help centre that operates all day and night.
Heavy rain also briefly forced some people to leave their accommodation.
The Games run until October 4.
The Costa Serena cruise ship docked in Nagoya to house about 4,000 to 5,000 Asian Games participants.
Organisers are using the ship, hotels, Airbnbs and shipping-container-style huts instead of building a dedicated Athletes’ Village.
South Korean basketball players reportedly complained about bed sizes in the container-style accommodation.
Organisers said sustainability guided the accommodation plan and promised concrete improvements for athletes and officials.
A 24-hour resident centre will handle complaints, while heavy rain and possible flooding have created additional disruption.
- Who
- Asian Games athletes and officials, including South Korean basketball players, and the Aichi-Nagoya organisers.
- What
- Organisers are providing accommodation through a cruise ship, hotels, Airbnbs and shipping-container-style huts while responding to complaints about living conditions.
- Where
- Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, including the Kinjo pier and the port area.
- When
- The Costa Serena docked on Tuesday; the Games officially begin on Saturday and run until October 4.
- Why
- Organisers did not build a dedicated Athletes’ Village and say sustainability was a core concept of the accommodation programme.
Organisers’ Position
Athletes’ Concerns
Sustainability versus comfort
Organisers’ Position
Organisers say sustainability guided the accommodation programme and ask residents to consider the ship’s shared facilities and relaxation areas rather than focusing only on cabin size.
Athletes’ Concerns
Athletes and officials have raised concerns about their living conditions, including reported complaints about bed sizes and limited space.
Alternative accommodation versus a dedicated village
Organisers’ Position
Organisers chose a cruise ship, hotels, Airbnbs and container-style huts instead of constructing a dedicated Athletes’ Village, while guaranteeing accommodation for all participants.
Athletes’ Concerns
Some delegations have specific accommodation needs, and media reports described dissatisfaction with the container-style huts.
Current conditions versus promised improvements
Organisers’ Position
Organisers say they are taking concrete steps to improve conditions and have established a 24-hour centre for complaints.
Athletes’ Concerns
Athletes and officials may still face disruption, particularly after heavy rain briefly forced several hundred people to evacuate their accommodation.
Key facts
- Event
- The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya
- Expected residents
- Up to 17,000 competitors and officials
- Cruise ship
- Costa Serena
- Ship capacity for participants
- Approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people
- Other accommodation
- Hotels, Airbnbs and shipping-container-style huts
- Main complaint
- Reportedly small beds in container-style huts, particularly for South Korean basketball players
- Support measure
- A 24-hour resident centre will address athlete and official complaints
- Weather disruption
- Several hundred people were briefly evacuated after torrential rain in Nagoya
Quotes
Hideaki Ohmura
President of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
“We hope the delegation will consider the ship's facilities and relaxation options -- taking a comprehensive view rather than focusing solely on cabin size.”
rediff.com
“We are fully aware of the dissatisfaction and concerns voiced by the athlete delegations.”
rediff.com
Sources
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