The head of South Korea’s Olympic committee has given organisers of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games a failing grade, sharply criticising accommodation and transportation problems that have affected athletes during the multi-sport event in Japan.
Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, said on Sept. 24 that he would give the organisers an “F” because operational problems could potentially affect athletes’ performances. He also warned that persistent issues would represent a serious failure in event management.
South Korea’s delegation has encountered several difficulties since arriving for the Games. The country moved its men’s basketball team from wooden container accommodation into hotels after athletes found the provided beds too short. South Korean teams have also reported problems involving shuttle buses, including vehicles failing to arrive or taking athletes to the wrong venues.
Ryu said the experience compared poorly with other Asian Games and international competitions he had attended both as an athlete and an official.
The complaints extend beyond South Korea. Other delegations have reported shortages of accommodation and transportation disruptions as organisers manage around 17,000 participants across the Games. Some athletes have faced cramped rooms, while others experienced delays involving airport transfers and a cruise ship being used as floating accommodation.
Thailand also criticised the logistical situation, describing the movement of teams and accommodation arrangements as resembling a chaotic game of “musical chairs,” according to reports.
The situation has placed additional attention on the organisers’ preparations for an event involving 45 countries and regions. The Games opened on Sept. 19 in Nagoya and are scheduled to continue through Oct. 4, with athletes competing across dozens of sports.
Aichi-Nagoya organisers have acknowledged problems. Takaaki Omi, the event’s deputy secretary-general, previously apologised to athletes and officials affected by organisational difficulties. Organisers have also defended some of the accommodation arrangements while saying that athlete experience remains a priority.
South Korea’s delegation has called for a formal apology and concrete measures to prevent similar problems from continuing. Its chef de mission, Lee Sang-hyun, previously attributed some of the difficulties to what he described as cost-cutting measures affecting the athlete experience.
The criticism comes as the Games continue to produce major sporting moments alongside the logistical controversy. South Korea’s basketball team, for example, went on to win gold despite the accommodation and transportation problems surrounding its campaign.
For organisers, the immediate challenge is now to stabilise transportation, accommodation and venue operations while competition continues. With athletes still competing through Oct. 4, further disruptions could keep the spotlight on the Games’ behind-the-scenes arrangements.
The bigger question now is whether organisers can resolve the operational problems quickly enough to ensure that logistical issues do not overshadow the remaining competition at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
