Asian Games Athletes Face 'Worst' Accommodation as Japan's Nagoya Struggles with Container Beds

Thousands of athletes are set to arrive in Nagoya, Japan, for the upcoming Asian Games. However, many are facing a major concern over their accommodation - wooden container beds that have been criticized for being cramped and uncomfortable.

The Korea Basketball Association's vice-president, Jung Jae-yong, described the situation as "worst it has ever been", with athletes who are over two metres tall unable to even stretch their legs out on the beds. he said.

The Games, which will feature around 17,000 athletes and authorities, have faced weeks of concern about a potential shortage of beds. The containers, designed to be reused as disaster evacuation facilities, have been beset by complaints from athletes.

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A member of the South Korea basketball team posted a video of a leaking pipe and soaked floor in his room on social media, with the caption: "Please help me." Athletes were also briefly evacuated from the containers as record rainfall lashed Nagoya last week and caused widespread flooding.

Accommodation manager Yuta, Matsuo told. Reuters that organizers are taking concrete steps to improve the environment for athletes. "fully aware of the dissatisfaction and concerns voiced by the athlete delegations" he said.

"Taking concrete steps to improve the environment for the athletes", he added. Unlike the Olympic Games, where there is usually a designated athletes' village, organizers have opted to use temporary accommodation for competitors.

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Beyond the container huts, between 4,000 and 5,000 participants will be staying on an Italian cruise ship which docked in Nagoya on Tuesday. The rest of the attendees will stay in hotels.

Indian authorities have built replicas of the huts to get their athletes used to living in them. Accommodation manager Yuta, Matsuo told. Reuters that organizers had "neither the manpower nor the budget to make the necessary arrangements" for the additional athletes.

"There is simply nowhere for them to stay. If they still wish to come, they will have to make their own arrangements." Hideaki Omura, president of the organizing committee and Governor of Aichi Prefecture.

Last month, organizers and the Olympic Council of, Asia said. all "17,000-plus" athletes and officials who had registered before the deadline in July have been provided with "Games-appropriate accommodation". "The final preparations are all on track and progressing smoothly ahead of what promises to be the most spectacular Asian Games held for generations," their statement read.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham, Tolentino told. AFP that while all the country's athletes have secured a bed, some authorities and coaches were staying in "different hotels and Airbnb".