South Korean Officials Slam 'Worst Ever' Asian Games Housing as Athletes Squeeze Into Cabins

South Korean officials have branded accommodation at the Asian Games in Japan the "worst ever", warning of a "serious shortage" of rooms as the event gets under way.

Beds in shipping container-style huts are too short for players to stretch out, the South Korean basketball chief said, while officials from the Philippines turned to Airbnb.

There is no dedicated athletes' village. Organisers are instead relying on a cruise ship, temporary wooden cabins and hotels to cut costs. The games in Nagoya officially open on Saturday, but football and basketball are already being played.

Jung Jae-yong, vice president of the Korea Basketball Association, said athletes over two metres tall cannot even stretch their legs out on the beds. "Based on my experience, this is the worst it has ever been," he said. Teammate Byeon Jun-hyeong posted a video showing a leaking sink and a soaked floor, writing: "Please help us."

The huts will house 2,000 athletes and officials over the more than two weeks of competition. Indian sports officials built replica cabins to help their athletes adjust. Jung accused organisers of failing to respond to South Korea's concerns.

Hundreds of athletes were briefly evacuated last week as record rainfall hit Nagoya, with more rain forecast.

More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected - above the 15,000 organisers initially anticipated. A Korean Sport & Olympic Committee official said there is a serious shortage of accommodation for delegations from around the world in the Aichi-Nagoya area.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino said all his country's athletes had rooms, though some coaches and officials were moved to different hotels and Airbnb. The cruise ship Costa Serena arrives Tuesday, housing between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes, with the rest in hotels, including in Tokyo.