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IOC President Praises Nagoya’s Temporary Athlete Huts Amid Criticism
By Drooid · · How we work
Asian Games Athlete Housing: Temporary Huts in Nagoya
The 2026 Asian Games opened in Nagoya without a permanent athletes’ village. To reduce costs, more than 17,000 participants are housed in a mix of shipping-container-style huts, hotels and a cruise ship. Approximately 2,000 athletes stay in the waterfront huts that line the city’s harbor.
Background: Shift from Traditional Villages
Unlike previous editions that built dedicated villages, the Nagoya organizers opted for modular accommodation similar to the cabins used at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics earlier this year. The change reflects a broader move toward temporary, cost-effective solutions for large-scale sporting events.
Data & Statistics
- Total participants: >17,000 athletes and officials
- Hut occupants: ~2,000 athletes reside in the waterfront cabins
- Comparison: Huts are described as “a little tighter” than the Milano-Cortina cabins used for the Winter Games
Official Statements & Responses
IOC President Kirsty Coventry, a former Olympic champion swimmer from Zimbabwe, toured the Nagoya huts and said the facilities were “really nice.” She acknowledged the cabins are slightly smaller than those at the Winter Games but rejected the notion that this is a drawback. Coventry emphasized that the air-conditioning works well, the flooring and walls are attractive, and the overall experience is comparable to villages she has visited before. She added that she had expected a different impression based on pre-event reports but was “impressed” after seeing the lodgings in person.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The cabins are quiet, they’re very cool,” — Kirsty Coventry, IOC president — Kirsty Coventry, IOC president
Despite some participating nations describing the wooden cabins as too small and the beds as short, Coventry’s remarks highlight a positive official assessment of the temporary housing model. The IOC’s endorsement suggests the approach may influence future multi-sport events seeking economical accommodation solutions.