South Korean officials decry ‘worst ever’ Asian Games accommodation

What the report says

South Korean sports officials have sharply criticized accommodation arrangements for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, describing them as the worst they have seen and saying there is a serious shortage of rooms. The complaint comes as the games begin this week, with football and basketball already underway ahead of the official opening. Organizers have not built a dedicated athletes’ village and instead are using a cruise ship, temporary wooden cabins and hotels to hold down costs.

According to the Al Jazeera report based on AFP, South Korea’s basketball officials said the cabins being used by their men’s team are too small for taller athletes, while one player shared images online of a leaking sink and water on the floor. South Korean and other officials said they have been pressing organizers for answers, but had not received a clear response. The source also says some Indian team members prepared for the setup in advance by building cabin replicas, while Philippine officials said some coaches were moved into hotels and Airbnb listings.

The accommodation problems come amid heavy rain in Nagoya, which briefly forced hundreds of athletes to evacuate last week. Organizers had earlier said they were short on manpower and budget as the number of expected participants rose beyond initial estimates. The Olympic Council of Asia later said everyone would be housed. More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected, and several thousand are set to stay on the cruise ship Costa Serena, with others placed in hotels, including some in Tokyo for events held there.