Athletes can't stretch their legs in container beds at Japan's Asian Games, official says

What the report says

Ahead of the opening of the Asian Games in Nagoya and wider Aichi prefecture, athletes and team officials from several countries have complained about the temporary accommodation being used for part of the event. BBC World News reported that South Korea’s delegation criticised the wooden container huts, with a basketball official saying the beds were too short for taller players and calling the setup the worst he had seen.

The BBC said the containers are intended to house about 2,000 athletes and are designed for later reuse as disaster evacuation facilities. It also reported problems including a leaking pipe, wet floors and brief evacuations during heavy rain last week, which also affected some competition venues. Organisers have said they are aware of the concerns and are taking steps to improve conditions.

The article noted that the Games are hosting more than 17,000 athletes and officials, above the 15,000 initially expected, after additional sports were added. In a departure from the usual Olympic-style athletes’ village model, participants are being split between the container units, hotels and an Italian cruise ship docked in Nagoya. The accommodation issue matters because it reflects the logistical strain of staging a large multi-sport event on a tight housing plan.