The chief organiser of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan defends the quality of athlete accommodation after backlash from teams and officials. Hideaki Omura says the rooms are “functional” and that the organising committee is working to address complaints raised by disgruntled delegations.
According to reports, the Games open in Nagoya on Saturday and are expected to host more than 17,000 competitors and officials. In an effort to reduce costs, organisers plan to house athletes and officials in a mix of temporary accommodation, including hotel rooms as well as non-traditional options such as a cruise liner and wooden containers. Outlets report that South Korean officials have criticised the arrangements, while the organiser counters that efforts are underway to improve comfort despite the temporary setup.
Across sources, the focus is on the clash between the organisers’ cost-saving housing plan and teams’ concerns about comfort, with the organiser publicly reassessing aspects of the arrangements ahead of the opening ceremony.
