Asian Games Face Accommodation Crisis with 17,000 Attendees

The 20th Asian Games, taking place in Nagoya and across Japan’s Aichi prefecture until October 4, are set to host over 17,000 athletes and officials, exceeding the initial estimate of 15,000. This surge has intensified accommodation challenges for the organisers, who have resorted to temporary housing options, including the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, which has 571 cabins and various amenities.

Between 4,000 and 5,000 participants are expected to stay on the cruise ship. The use of such unconventional accommodations is unprecedented for the Games.

Concerns have been raised by participating countries, with South Korean sports officials labeling the container-style facilities as the “worst” they have encountered, citing inadequate bed lengths. An official from the Korean Olympic committee reported a “serious shortage of accommodation” just days before the event.

The organisers have described this edition of the Games, first held in 1951, as potentially “the most spectacular for generations.”.