A South Korean sports official has sharply criticized the athlete accommodation for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, labeling the conditions as the “worst ever.” Concerns have also been raised regarding a severe shortage of suitable rooms for participants.
Jung Jae-yong, vice-president of the South Korean Basketball Federation, voiced his strong dissatisfaction with the sleeping arrangements, particularly highlighting the inadequate bed size in the temporary container rooms designated for athletes. He stated that the beds were too short, preventing tall players from fully stretching their legs, an issue he found illogical and unacceptable. This sentiment echoes broader discontent, with Filipino sports officials reportedly opting for Airbnb alternatives for their athletes, according to reports from AFP.
Adding to the controversy, this edition of the Asian Games notably lacks a dedicated sports village for athletes. Instead, organizers have relied on a combination of cruise ships, temporary wooden cabins, and existing hotels as cost-saving measures. Mr. Jae-yong specifically expressed his dismay with the wooden container houses allocated to the men’s basketball team.
He reiterated, “Based on my experience, this is the worst accommodation ever. Athletes over 2 meters tall can’t even stretch their legs straight on the bed. It makes no sense at all.” Further evidence of the substandard conditions emerged when South Korean basketball player Byeon Jun-hyeong shared videos on social media, depicting a flooded sink and wet floors within their temporary huts.
The head of the Indian sports delegation has also reportedly expressed concerns about the cramped living spaces, which pose difficulties for taller players. This situation highlights a broader challenge for the organizers in providing adequate and comfortable facilities for all participating athletes.
The accommodation issues are compounded by recent environmental challenges. Last week, hundreds of athletes had to be evacuated from temporary shelters in Nagoya due to unprecedented heavy rainfall, with forecasts indicating more rain in the coming days. The 2026 Asian Games, hosted in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, is officially scheduled to open on September 19, though football and basketball matches commenced earlier on September 10.
