2 hrs ago
South Korea Calls Asian Games Housing ‘Worst Ever’
The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Japan.
Many athletes and officials are having trouble finding comfortable places to stay.
Some players in temporary cabins say the beds are too short, especially for tall athletes.
One South Korean player showed a leaking sink and a wet floor.
Heavy rain also caused some people to leave their accommodation temporarily.
The organizers did not build one large athletes’ village for these Games.
Instead, they are using cabins, hotels and a cruise ship.
More people are attending than organizers first expected.
Officials from some countries are asking for better housing and clearer answers.
South Korean officials criticized short beds, leaks and poor conditions in temporary cabins at the 2026 Asian Games.
The Games are using a cruise ship, wooden cabins and hotels instead of a dedicated athletes’ village.
More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected, exceeding the organizers’ initial estimate of 15,000.
Hundreds of athletes were briefly evacuated after record rainfall hit Nagoya last week.
Philippine officials said athletes received rooms, while some coaches and other officials were moved to hotels and Airbnb accommodations.
- Who
- More than 17,000 athletes and officials, including delegations from South Korea, the Philippines and India, are affected.
- What
- Delegations are reporting accommodation shortages and problems including short beds, leaks and rain-related evacuations.
- Where
- In Nagoya and Aichi prefecture, Japan.
- When
- The Games officially open on Saturday, with football and basketball already underway; complaints were reported on September 14.
- Why
- Organizers are using multiple types of accommodation and did not establish a dedicated athletes’ village, while attendance exceeded the initial estimate.
Delegations’ concerns
Organizers’ position
Quality of accommodation
Delegations’ concerns
South Korean officials called the cabins the worst accommodation they had experienced, citing beds that are too short for tall athletes and a leaking sink and soaked floor.
Organizers’ position
Organizers chose cabins, hotels and a cruise ship instead of a dedicated athletes’ village, citing the need to manage costs and saying they lacked the manpower and budget for the larger-than-expected numbers.
Availability of rooms
Delegations’ concerns
A South Korean Olympic committee official said there was a serious shortage of accommodation for delegations in the Aichi-Nagoya area; Philippine officials said some coaches and other officials were moved to hotels and Airbnb.
Organizers’ position
The Olympic Council of Asia said everyone would receive a place to stay, while the Philippine Olympic Committee said all its athletes had been given rooms.
Response to complaints
Delegations’ concerns
The Korea Basketball Association said organizers had not yet responded to South Korea’s concerns and that the delegation was considering what to do.
Organizers’ position
Organizers and officials said they were working to resolve accommodation problems and ensure there would be no such issues.
Key facts
- Event
- 2026 Asian Games
- Host area
- Nagoya and Aichi prefecture, Japan
- Official opening
- Saturday; football and basketball began earlier
- Expected attendance
- More than 17,000 athletes and officials
- Initial estimate
- 15,000 athletes and officials
- Accommodation
- Cruise ship, temporary wooden cabins and hotels
- Reported problems
- Short beds, leaking facilities, accommodation shortages and temporary evacuations
Quotes
South Korean Olympic committee official
Official affiliated with South Korea's Olympic committee
“At the moment there is a serious shortage of accommodation not only for the entire South Korean delegation to the Asian Games, but for delegations from around the world in the Aichi-Nagoya area. We are doing everything we can to resolve the issue and ensure there are no such problems.”
wionews.com
“Based on my experience, this is the worst it has ever been. Athletes who are over two metres tall cannot even stretch their legs out on the beds. It's unreasonable.”
wionews.com
Sources
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