South Korean officials informed the AFP on Monday that the living conditions at the Asian Games, which start this week in Japan, are 'the worst ever,' and also warned of a 'serious shortage' of rooms.
Participants in the Asian Games are complaining about the accommodation standard, particularly noting that the beds are too short for tall athletes. A South Korean basketball official stated that the beds in the container-style huts do not allow players to fully stretch out.
Due to the lack of a dedicated athlete village, organizers are relying on cruise liners, temporary wooden cabins, and hotels in an attempt to reduce costs. Players from the Philippines, for example, have been forced to use Airbnb services.
The Games officially begin in the cities of Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture on Saturday, but football and basketball matches are already underway. Joon Jae-yong, Vice President of the Korea Basketball Association, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the living conditions of the men's basketball team.
He told AFP that 'based on his experience, this is the worst thing that has ever happened.' He added that 'athletes over two meters tall cannot even stretch their legs on the beds. This is unreasonable.'
Basketball player Byun Chun-hyun posted a video on social media showing a leaking sink and a wet floor in his hut, accompanying it with a plea: 'Please help us.'
These huts are intended to house 2000 athletes and officials for more than two weeks of the Games. Indian sports officials are so concerned about the cabin conditions that they built replicas to help their athletes get used to them.
Vice President Joon accused the organizers of ignoring South Korea's concerns, stating: 'The organizers have still said nothing.' He continued that they 'are very concerned and are holding extensive discussions with the Korean Sports and Olympic Committee about what to do in this situation.'
Last week, hundreds of athletes were temporarily evacuated from their housing due to heavy rains in Nagoya, and further increases in rainfall are forecast in the coming days.
It is expected that there will be over 17,000 athletes and officials at the Games, exceeding the number of participants in the Olympic Games. Local organizers initially planned for 15,000 people and last month stated they had 'neither the workforce nor the budget' to solve the problem of the growing number of participants.
The Asian Olympic Council later stated that everyone would be provided with accommodation. Cricket stars expressed concerns about the lack of high-class hotels.
An official spokesperson for the South Korean Olympic Committee told AFP that because the Games are taking place in a few days, there are problems. He stated: 'Currently, there is a serious housing shortage not only for the entire South Korean delegation at the Asian Games but also for delegations from around the world in the Aichi-Nagoya area.'
He assured that they 'are doing everything possible to resolve this issue and ensure that such problems do not arise.'
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino told AFP that all athletes from his country were provided with housing, but 'some officials, such as coaches, were moved to other hotels and Airbnbs.'
The Asian Games organizers did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. The Italian cruise liner Costa Serena is scheduled to arrive in Nagoya on Tuesday, carrying between 4000 and 5000 athletes. The rest will stay in hotels, including Tokyo, where swimming, diving, and equestrian competitions will take place.