Officials defend using temporary containers, cruise ship as lodging at Asian Games
Officials at the Asian Games are defending the use of temporary wooden containers and a cruise ship to house athletes. The decision was made to avoid the high costs associated with building permanent athlete villages.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing financial burden of hosting major international sporting events and the creative, albeit controversial, cost-cutting measures organizers are adopting.
NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — The Olympic Council of Asia is attempting to quell complaints about lodging for athletes and officials at the Asian Games , which includes the use of converted wooden containers.
The OCA said Friday that all "17,000-plus athletes and officials" that registered by the entry deadline in July have been provided "games-appropriate accommodation."
The games open officially on Saturday and run through Oct. 4 in and around the central city of Nagoya, and feature at least 11,000 athletes, more than the Summer Olympics. They showcase 43 sports and 45 countries and regions.
Japanese officials decided against building a dedicated athletes villages and opted for accommodations on a cruise ship , in hotel rooms and in temporary wood containers.
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