Asian Games athletes to be housed on ‘floating village' cruise ship in Japan
Athletes at next year's Asian Games in Japan will stay on a 'floating village' cruise ship or in converted shipping containers, with organisers defending the cost-cutting move.
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The plan will see 4,600 athletes and officials housed on the ship for the duration of the Games, which are being held in Nagoya and the wider Aichi area from September 19 to October 4.
Organisers will lease a luxury cruise liner that will be docked at Nagoya's port.
A further 2,400 people will stay in temporary shelters made from shipping containers a short bus ride away, with the two locations accommodating about half of the 15,000 athletes and officials expected at the 2026 Games.
The rest will be in other accommodation, including in Tokyo where the swimming competition will take place.
The 2022 Asian Games opening ceremony in Hangzhou, China. Photo: AFP
Local organisers were keen to avoid the cost of building a traditional athletes' village, but Asian Olympic chiefs warned any alternative must make sure athletes can meet and mingle together.
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Asian Games athletes to be housed on ‘floating village' cruise ship in Japan
Athletes at next year's Asian Games in Japan will stay on a 'floating village' cruise ship or in converted shipping containers, with organisers defending the cost-cutting move. Advertisement The plan will see 4,600 athletes and officials housed on the ship for the duration of the Games, which are being held in Nagoya and the wider Aichi area from September 19 to October 4. Organisers will lease a luxury cruise liner that will be docked at Nagoya's port. A further 2,400 people will stay in temporary shelters made from shipping containers a short bus ride away, with the two locations accommodating about half of the 15,000 athletes and officials expected at the 2026 Games. The rest will be in other accommodation, including in Tokyo where the swimming competition will take place. The 2022 Asian Games opening ceremony in Hangzhou, China. Photo: AFP Local organisers were keen to avoid the cost of building a traditional athletes' village, but Asian Olympic chiefs warned any alternative must make sure athletes can meet and mingle together.
