Asian Games Open in Japan Amid Chaos, Accommodation Woes
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya, Japan on Saturday, September 19, 2026, under a cloud of logistical chaos and athlete complaints. Transport errors left teams stranded at Nagoya airport without food, while basketball players found themselves in converted containers too small for their two-metre frames. Hong Kong's delegation has borne the brunt of the disorganization, with the table tennis team split between a cruise ship and locations across the city.
Key Points
- The Asian Games opened in Nagoya on Saturday, with the previous edition held three years earlier in Hangzhou, China
- Transport data errors at Nagoya airport left teams stranded for hours without food, and basketball players were housed in converted containers barely large enough for their two-metre frames
- Hong Kong's men's table tennis team and women's coach Zhang Rui were sent to the Costa Serena cruise ship, which houses approximately 4,000 competitors, while other staff were scattered across Nagoya
- Three of four Hong Kong men's 3x3 basketball players complained of seasickness associated with the cruise ship's rolling motion
- Coach Liu Guodong described the situation as difficult, noting complete separation between athletes and staff, with massage services only available at the arena
Why It Matters
The accommodation crisis comes as Japan continues to grapple with record rainfall causing venue leaks, while the host city remains in dispute with the Olympic Council of Asia over the ballooning number of participants . Despite the chaos, officials maintain that things will heat up when competition intensifies, though the separation of athletes from support staff could impact Hong Kong's performance as the Games progress.
The accommodation crisis comes as Japan continues to grapple with record rainfall causing venue leaks, while the host city remains in dispute with the Olympic Council of Asia over the ballooning number of participants . Despite the chaos, officials maintain that things will heat up when competition intensifies, though the separation of athletes from support staff could impact Hong Kong's performance as the Games progress.