A 190cm National Athlete in a Container Bed? Why They Are Undergoing Special Training with "Sushi Once a Day"

A container measuring 12 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width has been installed at an Indian national sports training center.

Inside the container are not cargo, but beds, air conditioners, and washing machines.

The people staying in the marine shipping containers converted into accommodations are none other than Indian national athletes.

Indian national athletes preparing for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are living in temporary accommodations made from converted containers.

Indian media outlets such as The Indian Express reported that for the upcoming Asian Games opening on the 19th, the organizing committee decided not to operate an athletes village to cut costs, using cruise ships, hotels, and containers as accommodations instead, and that Indian athletes are undergoing adaptation training for this.

The National Institute of Sports (NIS) in India checked the temporary accommodation format through an on-site inspection in Japan, and built accommodation facilities similar to the local ones by utilizing containers purchased for equipment storage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, nine athletes are undergoing adaptation training in the containers, and more athletes are scheduled to experience container living before the full delegation departs.

Seema Punia, an Indian national discus thrower, said, "I naturally thought we would live in an athletes village, so I was surprised to hear we have to stay in containers." Tajinderpal Singh Toor, a national shot putter standing over 190 cm tall, also shared his experience, saying, "It might pose a problem for athletes with large physiques like mine."

In addition, as the competition organizing committee is not operating an athletes village cafeteria, it is reported that Indian authorities have decided to adjust not only the accommodations but also the training center meals to Japanese cuisine, serving sushi to athletes about once a day.

Reported by Kim Taewon | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.