South Korea says ‘serious shortage’ of rooms with Asian Games days away

South Korea's Olympic committee has revealed a "serious shortage of accommodation" ahead of the 20th Asian Games, set to commence in Japan this week. The issue has prompted officials from the Philippines to resort to Airbnb accommodations for their athletes. The Games will take place in Nagoya and the wider Aichi area, with some events already underway.

Over 17,000 athletes and officials are expected to participate - a larger number than the Olympics. Initially, local organizers anticipated only 15,000 participants and admitted they lacked the necessary manpower and budget to accommodate the sudden influx. The South Korean delegation faces the same accommodation shortage as athletes from various countries across the Aichi-Nagoya region.

Organizers are scrambling to resolve the issue and ensure smooth proceedings, with athletes still entering and exiting the country. Philippine officials have provided beds to all their athletes, but coaches have been accommodated in different hotels and Airbnb options. Concerns have also been raised about the quality of the provided housing, particularly the shipping container-style huts meant for 2,000 athletes and officials.

One South Korean basketball player shared a video on social media describing a leaking sink and soaked floor in his hut, pleading for assistance. The Italian cruise ship Costa Serena will accommodate between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes, while the remaining participants will be housed in hotels, including Tokyo. Evacuations took place last week due to heavy rainfall, but athletes returned after two hours. Further rainfall is forecasted for Nagoya in the coming days.