South Korea warns of ‘serious shortage’ of accommodation ahead of Asian Games
TBT DESK: South Korea’s Olympic committee has warned of a “serious shortage of accommodation” in the Aichi-Nagoya area just days before the Asian Games, with some Philippine officials reportedly forced to stay in Airbnb properties.
The Games, being held in Nagoya and across Japan’s Aichi region, have no dedicated athletes’ village. Organisers are instead relying on hotels, a cruise ship and temporary wooden container-style accommodation as they seek to contain costs.
More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected to attend the Games — a figure higher than the number at the Olympics. Local organisers had initially planned for around 15,000 participants but said last month they lacked the manpower and budget to handle the increase.
Organisers later assured the Olympic Council of Asia that all athletes and officials registered before the July deadline would receive “Games-appropriate accommodation”.
However, a Korean Sport and Olympic Committee official told AFP that accommodation remained a major problem.
“At the moment there is a serious shortage of accommodation not only for the entire South Korean delegation to the Asian Games, but for delegations from around the world in the Aichi-Nagoya area,” the official said.
The official said efforts were under way to resolve the issue and ensure the Games proceed without disruption.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino said all Filipino athletes had been provided with beds, but some officials, including coaches, had been moved to different hotels and Airbnb properties.
Asian Games organisers did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.
Concerns over temporary accommodation
Questions have also been raised about the quality of some accommodation, particularly the shipping-container-style huts that will house about 2,000 athletes and officials.
South Korean basketball player Byeon Jun-hyeong posted a video online showing a leaking sink and water covering the floor of his hut, accompanied by the caption: “Please help us”.
Organisers have also chartered the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, which is due to arrive in Nagoya on Tuesday. Between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes are expected to stay aboard the vessel.
Other participants will be accommodated in hotels, including in Tokyo, where swimming, diving and equestrian events are scheduled.
The accommodation difficulties have been compounded by severe weather. Hundreds of athletes were briefly evacuated from the Garden Pier area of Nagoya last week after record rainfall hit the city.
They were allowed to return about two hours later after the evacuation order was lifted.
More rain is forecast for Nagoya in the coming days, adding another challenge for organisers ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremony.
