Organizers Dismiss Transportation and Accommodation Issues at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: "Athletes Didn't Show Up"

The organizing committee for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has stated that various operational problems raised regarding lodging, transportation, living conditions, and training environments are "not to the extent of disrupting the competition."

Yuta Matsuo, deputy director of accommodation for the organizing committee, addressed the operational issues raised by delegations from various countries during a briefing held on September 24 at the Main Press Center in Nagoya, Japan.

He claimed, "We are taking the voices of each country's delegation seriously and responding to them," adding, "We are operating the games with a properly established system that can respond flexibly to the demands of each delegation."

The organizing committee reiterated its stance that it is doing its utmost to respond to accommodation issues, particularly athletes' complaints regarding poor container housing.

Regarding the pointing out that the beds are too short for tall athletes such as basketball players to lie down, he replied, "We were aware that there are tall athletes. We received and reflected many opinions from the initial design stage, and equipped each bed with an extension device called an ottoman."

Regarding transportation issues, he claimed, "The requests from each country's delegation vary. Some delegations requested changes to shuttle operations late at night, causing confusion," and added, "Situations different from our expectations are occurring depending on the nationality and customs of the delegations, but we are responding promptly in a Japanese manner."

He also added, "When situations arise where vehicle dispatching is difficult, we provide good guidance," and "There were also places where buses were dispatched, but the athletes did not show up."

This explanation seems to attribute the cause of transportation problems to the requests and response methods of some delegations.

Japanese media Tokyo Sports also reported on related remarks, stating, "Cooperation and consideration from the athletes are necessary for smooth shuttle bus operations."

However, transportation problems that are difficult to explain solely by the negligence of delegations are continuing to occur on the actual ground.

The South Korean men's basketball national team failed to train because the shuttle bus did not arrive ahead of their final match against Japan, and the football national team experienced setbacks in training due to a shuttle bus driver's mistake leading them to the wrong location.

As shuttle buses were not smoothly allocated for the baseball national team, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) secured external shuttle buses at its own expense.

For the Vietnam women's volleyball national team, on their first day of arrival, a shuttle bus dropped them off at the wrong hotel, forcing the delegation to drag heavy luggage and walk to their accommodation.

Ahead of the placement matches, a shuttle bus arrived an hour and a half later than scheduled, delaying the match time.

Media shuttles, which are severely lacking, also frequently operate differently from public notices or fail to show up altogether.

Meeting with domestic reporters on September 24, SEUNGMIN, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, pointed out the organizing committee's response, which is out of touch with reality, stating, "Making excuses is not desirable." He added, "Although it is getting better than the beginning of the tournament, the tournament operation deserves a failing grade of 'F.' If these problems continue to occur, I think this is serious incompetence."

The Thai delegation also expressed strong dissatisfaction.

Chatrarat Chandrubeksa, deputy secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, said in an interview with AFP on September 24, "Problems have continued from the beginning until now," adding, "The number of cruise ships and hotel rooms does not match the actual size of the delegation. We are directly finding alternative accommodations to solve the problem and taking care of meals separately. We are paying for everything ourselves."

He continued, "Due to accommodation problems, our medical staff is staying about an hour and a half away from Nagoya," and stated, "It is truly chaotic."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.