The organizers of the Asian Games in Japan next month have instructed certain athletes and officials to book their own lodging since there are more competitors than they can accommodate.
About 15,000 participants and officials were originally anticipated for the Games, which would take place in the Nagoya and Aichi region from September 19 to October 4.
However, since teqball and padel were added to the Games schedule earlier this year, the anticipated number has increased to around 17,000.
Ichiro Hirosawa, the mayor of Nagoya and acting chairman of the local organizing committee, stated that it would be challenging to accommodate the additional number because the Games are being run on a tight budget.
The host city agreement only covered 15,000 participants, according to Aichi Governor and organizing committee president Hideaki Omura, and no further monies had been set aside for the additional athletes and officials.
“A delegation of 15,000 people is specified in the host city agreement,” Omura stated. “We have not allocated funds for any further expenses.
They just have nowhere to stay. They will need to make their own plans if they still want to go.
The organizing committee lacked “neither the manpower nor the budget to make the necessary arrangements” for the extra attendees, Omura continued.
The organizers of the Asian Games have opted for a mix of hotels and temporary housing, in contrast to the Olympic Games, when competitors are typically accommodated in a dedicated athletes’ village.
The Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, which will be docked nearby, will house between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes, while another 2,000 will be housed in huts that resemble shipping containers.
Swimming, diving, and equestrian competitions are planned in Tokyo, where the remaining athletes and officials will stay in hotels.
The anticipated number of participants jumped by almost 2,000 from the initial estimate, making it difficult for organizers to accommodate everyone attending the Games. This has resulted in a lack of lodging.
