NAGOYA, Japan — The upcoming Asian Games will go ahead as planned despite severe flooding that swept through the Japanese host city of Nagoya, forcing the temporary evacuation of about 400 athletes and staff and disrupting roads, homes and public transportation.
Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said athletes who had already arrived for the Games were unharmed and that officials had found no serious damage to competition venues following the record rainfall.
“We are not worried about the conditions of the venues and we believe there is no problem holding the Asian Games as planned,” Hirosawa said.
400 Athletes and Staff Moved to Higher Ground
About 400 athletes and officials staying in converted shipping containers used as temporary accommodation were briefly evacuated to higher ground as torrential rain battered Nagoya.
The athletes and staff have since returned, according to reports.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will open on September 19 and run until October 4, bringing together more than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions across Asia.
That would make the event larger in athlete participation than the 2024 Paris Olympics, which had about 10,700 competitors.
Record Rain Turns Roads Into Rivers
The flooding struck Nagoya on Tuesday after exceptionally heavy rainfall inundated dozens of roads and homes.
Vehicles and pedestrians were stranded in flooded areas, while parts of the city’s public transportation network were temporarily shut down.
City bus and subway services were suspended as emergency crews responded to the flooding.
About 3,500 people reportedly sought shelter at emergency evacuation centers during the crisis.
Games Venues Escape Major Damage
Despite fears that the flooding could derail preparations for one of Asia’s biggest sporting events, city officials said the dozens of competition venues had avoided serious damage.
Hirosawa acknowledged that several facilities experienced leaking roofs, but said there were no major problems that would threaten the Games.
Authorities are still assessing conditions in some areas outside central Nagoya, but the mayor said there was currently no reason to postpone or relocate the event.
An Unusual Asian Games Without a Traditional Athletes’ Village
This year’s Asian Games will also feature an unusual accommodation system.
Rather than using a traditional athletes’ village, organizers are housing participants across a combination of hotels, cruise ships and temporary container-style accommodation.
The converted shipping-container units had already attracted attention before the floods, with several countries preparing their athletes for the unconventional living arrangements ahead of the Games.
The temporary evacuation during the flooding has now placed even greater attention on the accommodation arrangements just days before thousands more athletes are expected to arrive.
Asian Games Preparations Face Major Weather Test
The flooding is an early reminder of the challenges facing Nagoya as it prepares to welcome one of the world’s largest multi-sport events.
The Games were last held in Hangzhou, China, three years ago and are expected to bring athletes, officials, media and visitors from across Asia to Japan.
For now, organizers insist preparations remain on track.
The immediate priorities are restoring normal conditions across the flood-hit city, completing inspections of affected infrastructure and ensuring accommodation and transport systems are ready before the opening of the Games.
The Bottom Line
Record flooding hit Nagoya just days before the Asian Games, forcing about 400 athletes and staff to temporarily evacuate and sending thousands of residents to emergency shelters.
But officials say no athletes were injured, competition venues escaped major damage and the Games will proceed as scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
The floodwaters have receded, the athletes are back, and Nagoya’s message is clear: one of Asia’s biggest sporting events is still on.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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