{
  "id": 7459156,
  "title": "Asian Games set for liftoff but will have everyone have a bed?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/asian-games-set-for-liftoff-but-will-have-everyone-have-a-bed",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T03:27:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1533084/asian-games-set-liftoff-will-have-everyone-have-bed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 20th Asian Games are set to kick off in Nagoya, Japan on Saturday, with over 17,000 athletes and officials expected to take part, more than the number participating in the Olympics. The games, which run until October 4, have seen organizers scrambling to find accommodation for the large number of participants, leading to unconventional options such as a cruise ship and wooden containers being used. Among the temporary accommodations is the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, which will house between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes and officials. This arrangement has raised concerns, with South Korean officials calling the facilities \"the worst accommodation ever at the Games.\" Despite the challenges, organizers are confident that everyone will have a bed, despite a shortage, and remain optimistic that the typhoon season will not disrupt the event. The Asian Games will feature a range of sports, from international favorites like basketball and football to regional favorites such as sepak takraw and kabaddi. This year's games also mark the debut of eSports, breakdancing, BMX cycling, padel, and MMA. The event will serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in seven sports, including surfing, tennis, archery, and squash. Notable participants include Philippine tennis sensation Alexandra Eala and Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi. The host country, Japan, will be looking to their Olympic champions for success, with gymnast Shinnosuke Oka and javelin thrower Haruka Kitaguchi set to compete.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA: The Asian Games open in Japan on Saturday with 2028 Olympics places up for grabs, fast-rising talents of world sport in action and thousands of athletes staying on a cruise ship in typhoon season.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Faster, smarter, tinier: How gizmos smaller than your palm are powering Asian Games stars",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/faster-smarter-tinier-how-gizmos-smaller-than-your-palm-are-powering",
        "published": "2026-09-14T04:44:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Games-From barefoot hockey to Asian Games, India's Lalremsiami chases golden dream",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/games-from-barefoot-hockey-to-asian-games-indias-lalremsiami-chases",
        "published": "2026-09-14T05:11:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Razif questions BAM's 'confusing target' for Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/razif-questions-bams-confusing-target-for-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-14T08:16:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Beds too short in 'worst-ever' Asian Games rooms, say Korea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/beds-too-short-in-worst-ever-asian-games-rooms-say-korea",
        "published": "2026-09-14T08:57:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "Ten SAR wushu athletes to compete at Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/ten-sar-wushu-athletes-to-compete-at-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-14T09:02:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "North Korea women thrash Bangladesh 10-0 in Asian Games opener",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/north-korea-women-thrash-bangladesh-10-0-in-asian-games-opener",
        "published": "2026-09-14T11:46:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Independent Singapore",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026: key sports and stars to watch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/asian-games-2026-key-sports-and-stars-to-watch",
        "published": "2026-09-14T13:07:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}