Rising concerns from athletes prompt swift action in Nagoya.
As the Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games prepare to welcome more than 17,000 athletes and officials, organisers are grappling with mounting criticism over accommodation facilities. Delegations from India, South Korea, and other nations have voiced dissatisfaction, prompting assurances that corrective measures are underway.
Accommodation manager Yuta Matsuo acknowledged the concerns, stressing that organisers are not only listening but actively implementing improvements. “We are fully aware of the dissatisfaction and are taking concrete steps to enhance living conditions,” he said, adding that a 24‑hour resident centre will be available to address complaints during the Games.
Unlike previous editions, Nagoya opted not to build a dedicated Athletes’ Village. Instead, participants are being housed in a mix of hotels, Airbnbs, temporary cabins, and the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, which docked at Kinjo Pier this week to accommodate around 4,000 athletes. Another 2,000 will stay in shipping‑container‑style cabins near the port. Organisers initially planned for 15,000 participants, but the number swelled as more sports were added, intensifying the pressure on facilities.
India’s contingent faced delays in cabin allocations, though officials emphasised that the issue was widespread and not unique to their delegation. The Philippines reported that while athletes received rooms, some support staff were relocated to hotels and Airbnbs. South Korea, however, has been the most vocal critic. Jung Jae‑yong, vice‑president of the Korea Basketball Association, described the cabins as the worst he had encountered, citing cramped beds unsuitable for taller players. A video posted by player Byeon Jun‑hyeong showing water leakage in his cabin further amplified concerns.
In response, Aichi‑Nagoya Games president Hideaki Ohmura hailed the cruise ship solution as innovative. At the same time, Matsuo urged athletes to utilise shared recreational spaces on board rather than focusing solely on cabin size. Sustainability, he noted, was a guiding principle in the accommodation plan, though organisers recognise that delegations have diverse needs.
The Olympic Council of Asia and the organising committee have capped participation at 17,000, guaranteeing accommodation within that limit. With football and basketball competitions already underway, the Games officially open on Saturday and run until October 4. As organisers race to resolve logistical hurdles, the spotlight remains firmly on whether Nagoya can balance sustainability with the comfort and expectations of Asia’s top athletes.
