TOKYO, Japan — South Korean sports officials have criticized the accommodation arrangements for athletes competing in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, citing cramped rooms, inadequate facilities and a shortage of lodging.
Jung Jae-yong, vice president of the Korea Basketball Association, described the container-style cabins housing the South Korean men’s basketball team as the worst accommodation he had experienced.
“Based on my experience, this is the worst ever,” Jung said, noting that athletes taller than two meters could not fully stretch their legs on the beds.
South Korean basketball player Byeon Jun-hyeong also posted a video on social media showing a leaking sink and a wet floor inside his cabin, accompanied by a plea for assistance.
The Asian Games does not have a traditional athletes’ village. Organizers are using a combination of a cruise ship, temporary wooden cabins and hotels in an effort to reduce costs.
The temporary cabins are expected to accommodate about 2,000 athletes and officials for more than two weeks during the Games.
Jung said South Korean officials had raised concerns with organizers but had yet to receive a response.
“We are very concerned and are discussing extensively with the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee what to do about this,” he said.
The housing concerns have also reportedly prompted Indian sports officials to construct replicas of the cabins so their athletes could familiarize themselves with the accommodations before arriving in Japan.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said all Filipino athletes had been provided with rooms, although some officials, including coaches, had been transferred to different hotels and Airbnb accommodations.
The Italian cruise ship Costa Serena is scheduled to arrive in Nagoya on Tuesday and is expected to accommodate between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes.
More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected to participate in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, making the event larger in terms of participants than the Olympics.
The Asian Games officially opens on September 19, although football and basketball competitions have already begun. Forecasts also indicate more rain in the coming days, adding to concerns over the adequacy of the accommodations.
