Asian Games hosts run out of rooms for athletes

As the Asian Games in Japan approach, organizers face a significant challenge: accommodating all athletes. Initially expected to host 15,000 athletes and officials, the Games now anticipate a larger attendance, with up to 17,000 participants. This increase is due to the addition of two new sports, teqball and padel, to the event.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) have released a statement clarifying that all registered athletes and officials have been provided with suitable accommodation. However, the mayor of Nagoya, Ichiro Hirosawa, expressed concern over the city's budget constraints, stating that the organizers lack both the manpower and financial resources to accommodate the larger number of participants.

The host city agreement initially allocated a capacity for 15,000 people, and any further registrations have been halted. The organizers have opted to utilize temporary accommodations, including a cruise ship and shipping container-style huts, for 4,000 to 5,000 athletes. The remaining participants will be housed in hotels in Tokyo, which hosts various events such as swimming, diving, and equestrian competitions.

Despite these arrangements, organizers emphasized that the final preparations are proceeding smoothly, and the Games are expected to be a remarkable event.