Athletes 'can't take it any more' as Asian Games issues mount

The Asian Games in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture, Japan, are facing increasing complaints about poor organization as the continental sporting event begins on Saturday. Issues include a shortage of accommodation for more than 17,000 athletes and officials, surpassing the numbers for the Olympics. Some teams have criticized the quality of the housing, with beds described as too short. The Olympics-inspired Games are being hosted in hotels, temporary cabins, and a cruise ship, rather than a dedicated athletes' village.

World champion gymnast Zhang Boheng, who earned two silver medals at the Paris Olympics and holds two world championship titles, expressed exhaustion after a six-hour wait upon arrival on Wednesday. He stated that breakfast at 7:00 am was his last meal until around 7:00 pm, due to registration and paperwork delays. The lengthy wait forced him to book a hotel room for rest, frustrated by the wasted day.

Chinese state media reported that other Chinese athletes also encountered travel delays upon arrival, with Beijing's consulate providing lifts for the badminton team due to shuttle bus and public transport shortages. Chinese social media users praised athletes like table tennis star Sun Yingsha for stretching and exercising at the airport in response to transport troubles. The hashtag "Asian Games absurd" gained over 94 million views on Weibo.

India's team faced similar delays at the airport, with long queues and extensive questioning upon immigration. Chef de mission Sahdev Yadav acknowledged these issues as "teething problems" but emphasized the focus on athletes' performance moving forward. South Korea lodged a complaint with Games organizers after athletes waited over five hours at the airport, including a Japanese warlord dressed as historical figure Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Hideyoshi's presence during the welcoming ceremony sparked backlash in South Korea, as his invasions of Korea (1592-1598) are a significant historical event. The Olympic Council of Asia and the local organizing committee have not yet responded to the controversy.