Athletes’ container huts face complaints ahead of Asian Games in Japan

Unlike the Olympic Games, where there is usually a designated athletes’ village, organisers have opted to use temporary accommodation for competitors.

Beyond the container huts, between 4,000 and 5,000 participants will be staying on an Italian cruise ship which docked in Nagoya on Tuesday. The rest of the attendees will stay in hotels.

Initially, 15,000 athletes and officials had been expected to attend the Games.

But in mid-August the Olympic Council of Asia said the number would be closer to 17,000 after teqball – which combines elements of football and table tennis – and padel were included.

Hideaki Omura, president of the organising committee and Governor of Aichi Prefecture, previously said authorities had set aside a budget for 15,000 people and had “neither the manpower nor the budget to make the necessary arrangements” for the additional athletes.

“There is simply nowhere for them to stay. If they still wish to come, they will have to make their own arrangements.”

But last month, organisers and the Olympic Council of Asia said all “17,000-plus” athletes and officials who had registered before the deadline in July have been provided with “Games-appropriate accommodation”.

“The final preparations are all on track and progressing smoothly ahead of what promises to be the most spectacular Asian Games held for generations,” their statement read.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino told AFP that while all the country’s athletes have secured a bed, some officials and coaches were staying in “different hotels and Airbnb”.

Though basketball and football matches have already started, the Asian Games officially begin on Saturday and will end on 4 October.