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Stormy waters ahead? Athletes to sleep afloat for 2026 Asian Games in Japan
From cardboard beds to cruise ships - the trend of eco-athlete villages will continue for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan Following the backlash at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where athletes slept on cardboard beds, endured limited meat options , and suffered in sweltering heat due to a lack of air conditioning, Japan's 2026 Asian Games is stirring up its own storm of controversy. But as recent experiences have shown, innovation doesn't always translate into comfort or safety. As major sporting events grow in scale and visibility, cities around the world are racing to show off their green credentials by offering eco-conscious and unconventional housing for athletes. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Organisers have announced that 4,600 athletes and officials will be accommodated on a 'floating village' - a luxury cruise ship docked at Nagoya Port. An additional 2,400 will stay in temporary container shelters a short drive away. The rest of the approximately 15,000 participants will be spread across various sites, including Tokyo, which will host the swimming events. Japan's typhoon season While the floating village may appear stylish and sustainable, critics are questioning the timing: the Games will be held during Japan's notorious typhoon season, from September 19 to October 4. With memories of Typhoon Hagibis disrupting the 2019 Rugby World Cup still fresh, many are asking whether housing athletes on water or in metal containers is truly wise, or a disaster waiting to happen. Organisers have defended the plan as a cost-effective alternative to building a permanent athletes' village, saying the cruise ship and container sites are only ten minutes apart by shuttle bus. The 2026 Games mark the event's return to Japan for the first time since Hiroshima in 1994. IOL Travel
IOL News
02-05-2025
- IOL News
Why 90,000 South Africans booked local cruises in 2024/2025
Local cruises among South Africans are gaining popularity, with over 90,000 travellers embracing ocean-bound getaways in the 2024/2025 summer season. Image: File picture As more South Africans are looking for holiday experiences that combine value, adventure, and comfort, one travel style is steadily gaining favour, local seasonal cruises around South Africa's east and west coasts. The 2024–2025 summer season saw over 90,000 South Africans embrace this rising trend, heading off on ocean-bound getaways across the region. Travellers set sail from local ports to explore the tropical coastline of Mozambique, Reunion and Mauritius, and the desert-meets-sea coastline of Namibia on the MSC Musica, the 3 200-passenger liner that cruised South African waters for the last season. With itineraries designed to appeal to a wide variety of preferences—from laid-back beach breaks to cultural explorations—cruising continues to make a strong impression on both new and returning guests. According to Ross Volk, Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa, anticipation is already building for the 2025–2026 season. "We are very pleased to see our loyal customers return to cruise with us every new season and we appreciate their support. 'It is also great to see new travellers discovering cruising as an alternative holiday which offers good value for money. The demand for cruising locally continues to show growth," he says. Four main routes operate out of Durban and Cape Town. The Durban-to-Mozambique voyage remains a top choice for South Africans, while the Cape Town-to-Walvis Bay journey has proven especially popular among international visitors. Additional routes include Durban-to-Mauritius and Durban-to-Cape Town, each offering unique cultural and scenic experiences. The upcoming season will be marked by the return of a popular MSC Opera to local waters. After completing a Mediterranean stint, MSC Opera will begin her second season here with 37 sailings scheduled between November 2025 and April 2026. 'We have made two exciting additions to the upcoming season,' Volk shares. 'An extension to the season, which will offer guests the opportunity to book an additional departure in November, and we have introduced Mamoudzou as a new destination. Mamoudzou is a beautiful city on the coast of Mayotte, another great destination for our guests to discover.' With familiar favourites and new destinations on the horizon, the upcoming cruising season promises to be even more popular with South African cruisers. IOL Travel Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕
IOL News
02-05-2025
- IOL News
Hundreds trapped in London Eye during breakdown on hottest May Day in UK history
Mechanical failure left visitors stranded in the London Eye ferris wheel on a record-breaking hot day. Image: Chait Goli/Pexels Hundreds of visitors were left trapped in the glass pods of the London Eye yesterday, on what turned out to be the hottest May Day ever recorded in Britain. The iconic Ferris wheel came to an unexpected halt for approximately 10 minutes as temperatures soared to 28°C in the capital. Tourists aboard the 135-metre-high attraction found themselves suspended in the air while engineers worked urgently to fix the malfunction. An announcement from the London Eye informed visitors that technical staff were addressing the issue, which appeared to involve a mechanical failure. On the ground, crowds gathered at the base of the landmark as the attraction was forced to spin in reverse to correct the fault. The London Eye, which features 32 capsules capable of holding up to 28 passengers each, experienced the breakdown during peak visiting hours, causing both concern and discomfort due to the unseasonably hot weather. This isn't the first time the popular tourist destination has experienced technical issues. In 2016, a similar malfunction left hundreds of passengers stuck in the air for several hours. Opened in March 2000, the London Eye stands on the banks of the River Thames, directly across from the Houses of Parliament. It has since become one of the city's most recognisable landmarks and a must-see for tourists from around the globe. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, and operations resumed shortly after the issue was resolved. However, the event raised questions about maintenance and safety protocols, especially during high-capacity days. IOL Travel
