Olympic official says Japan must not lose money

Olympic Council of Asia director general Husain Al-Musallam says Japan should be applauded for trying to do something different amid complaints about housing 17,000 athletes for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.

“Japan must not lose money 'for nothing'”

Japan uses cruise ships and huts for athletes

Japanese organizers housed 4,000 athletes on cruise liner Costa Serena and 2,000 in wooden huts instead of building a traditional athletes' village.

Accommodation complaints persist

Some countries complained about room quality, especially in shipping container-style huts housing over 17,000 participants.

Olympic official emphasizes post-event cost savings

Al-Musallam said Japan's strategy avoids post-Games financial loss by not building an athletes' village, ensuring host country doesn't lose money for nothing.

“What’s going to happen to your investment after the closing? We don’t want Japan to lose their money for nothing.”

Japan's approach praised as future model

Olympic Council of Asia director general says Japan's cost-saving method could be the future example for hosting major international competitions.

“What Japan have done here, and Aichi-Nagoya and Olympic Council of Asia, could be the future example for the cost-reduction of multi-sport events such as the Asian Games.”

Games open amid complaints

The 2026 Asian Games officially open in Nagoya after Japan's innovative accommodation strategy faces room quality complaints.