Asian Games accommodation criticized as 'worst ever' amid cramped huts, flooding
SCMP · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
South Korean basketball officials have condemned accommodation at the Asian Games in Japan as the worst they have ever experienced, with athletes in shipping container-style cabins unable to stretch out on undersized beds. Hundreds were evacuated last week when record rainfall flooded temporary housing in Nagoya, where organizers have relied on a cruise ship, wooden cabins and hotels due to the absence of a dedicated athletes' village. Hong Kong's teams are already in action despite the accommodation crisis, with the women's basketball squad opening against China on Monday and the men's side set to face hosts Japan on Wednesday.
Key Points
- Jung Jae-yong, vice-president of the Korea Basketball Association, told AFP that based on his experience, the accommodation conditions at these Games are the worst ever, with athletes over two metres tall unable to stretch their legs on the beds
- Byeon Jun-hyeong from the South Korean basketball team posted a video on social media showing a leaking sink and soaked floor in his cabin, captioned "Please help us"
- Hundreds of athletes were briefly evacuated from their accommodation last week as record rainfall lashed Nagoya, with more rain forecast in the coming days
- Officials from the Philippines resorted to booking Airbnb rentals for their athletes rather than using the official accommodation
- Over 17,000 athletes and officials are expected at the Games—a bigger number than the Olympics—with local organizers initially expecting only 15,000
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's athletes face the dual challenge of competing against top regional rivals while dealing with substandard living conditions that could affect their rest and recovery. The cramped accommodation echoes concerns for all participating athletes at an event that officially opens on Saturday but with football and basketball already under way since Monday .
Hong Kong's athletes face the dual challenge of competing against top regional rivals while dealing with substandard living conditions that could affect their rest and recovery. The cramped accommodation echoes concerns for all participating athletes at an event that officially opens on Saturday but with football and basketball already under way since Monday .