{
  "id": 9114430,
  "title": "Some S'pore athletes staying in cruise ship during Asian Games due to there being no athletes' village",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/some-spore-athletes-staying-in-cruise-ship-during-asian-games-due-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T09:20:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/09/asian-games-athletes-staying-in-cruise-ship-hotels/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Asian Games, held in Nagoya, Japan, have been marred by criticism over the accommodations provided for athletes. With an estimated 17,000 athletes and officials participating, organizers initially prepared for 15,000, opting not to build an athletes' village to save costs. Instead, athletes have been housed in a variety of arrangements, including hotels, a cruise ship, and even temporary wooden container huts.\n\nSingapore athletes will be staying on the Costa Serena cruise ship, which provides 1,500 cabins. Juni Ong, a member of the women's water polo team, described the accommodation as \"small but comfortable,\" noting that having a balcony room was beneficial for their sport. Karate athlete Isaiah Tang had to secure hotel accommodations after organizers reported a shortage of adequate lodging for his team.\n\nHowever, the accommodations have faced significant criticism. Around 2,000 guests were lodged in wooden container huts originally designed for disaster evacuation, leading to complaints of poor conditions. Record rainfall caused brief evacuations due to roof leaks and other issues. Organizers have acknowledged the problems and promised improvements, with IOC President Kirsty Coventry commenting that the container-style accommodations were \"beautiful,\" though she admitted they were \"a little tighter\" than those at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.",
  "summary": "There is no dedicated athletes' village in a bid to save costs.",
  "key_points": [
    "17,000 athletes and officials at 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.",
    "Singapore athletes staying on Costa Serena cruise ship with 1,500 cabins.",
    "Wooden container huts used for accommodations face criticism for poor conditions."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026 India’s medallists: Full list of winners",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/asian-games-2026-indias-medallists-full-list-of-winners",
        "published": "2026-09-22T07:13:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Cheong Min bags Asian Games bronze to claim Malaysia's third medal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/cheong-min-bags-asian-games-bronze-to-claim-malaysias-third-medal",
        "published": "2026-09-22T07:25:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "First gold for India at Asian Games 2026: Women's cricket team beats Sri Lanka in final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/first-gold-for-india-at-asian-games-2026-womens-cricket-team-beats",
        "published": "2026-09-22T07:54:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Asian Games organisers defend cruise ship arrangements",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/asian-games-organisers-defend-cruise-ship-arrangements",
        "published": "2026-09-22T08:15:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Nagoya Asian Games organisers come out fighting, blame teams for cruise ship ‘confusion’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/nagoya-asian-games-organisers-come-out-fighting-blame-teams-for",
        "published": "2026-09-22T09:08:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Afghan cyclist who disguised herself as a man wins Asian Games silver",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/afghan-cyclist-who-disguised-herself-as-a-man-wins-asian-games-silver",
        "published": "2026-09-22T10:04:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Afghan cyclist who escaped Taliban wins Asian Games medal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/afghan-cyclist-who-escaped-taliban-wins-asian-games-medal",
        "published": "2026-09-22T10:09:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "YourStory",
        "title": "Women's cricket team gives India first gold of 2026 Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/womens-cricket-team-gives-india-first-gold-of-2026-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-22T10:30:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Today News Headlines for School Assembly, September 23, 2026: Women cricket team brings first gold for India in Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/today-news-headlines-for-school-assembly-september-23-2026-women",
        "published": "2026-09-22T11:08:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "[Asian Games] S. Korea wins bronze in men's medley relay swimming",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/asian-games-s-korea-wins-bronze-in-mens-medley-relay-swimming",
        "published": "2026-09-22T11:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}