Asian Games chiefs say lessons learned over accommodation
NAGOYA: Asian Games organisers in Japan said Sunday they had been caught off guard by complaints about some of the accommodation and promised athletes coming for the final week a more comfortable stay.
NAGOYA: Organisers of the Asian Games in Japan expressed surprise on Sunday at complaints regarding some of the accommodation for athletes arriving for the final week of the event. In contrast to previous Games, Aichi-Nagoya did not build a traditional athletes' village to cut costs. Instead, more than 17,000 athletes and officials, surpassing the number of the Olympics, are residing in hotels, temporary wooden units, and a cruise ship.
Some teams have expressed dissatisfaction with the shipping container-style units, citing cramped spaces and insufficient bed sizes. Yuta Matsuo, deputy director of athletes' accommodation, admitted to unforeseen challenges but assured that they had responded adequately to prevent major inconveniences for athletes and maintain smooth competition proceedings. He pledged continuous monitoring of athletes' needs and requests.
South Korean officials criticized the container hut rooms as the worst ever, with beds too small for their country's basketball team. Games officials opened the media to the huts on Sunday, where 200 units will house a total of 2,000 athletes throughout the Games, with three or four athletes per unit. Each hut measures 35 square meters and has a height of 230cm.
Toilets are equipped for athletes staying for the Asian Para Games, and beds are separated by curtains. The interior walls are bare wood, and while there is a kitchen sink, no cooking equipment is provided. A distinct wood smell permeates the spaces.
Athletes gather in a communal dining room, alongside a shop, medical centre, fitness centre, and a communal area for interacting with fellow athletes. IOC president Kirsty Coventry called the container units "beautiful" but acknowledged they were "a little tighter" than similar accommodations at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Matsuo mentioned that they expect more issues to arise and reiterated their commitment to promptly addressing athletes' needs and requests, regardless of cultural backgrounds and customs.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
