Athletes 'can't take it any more' as Asian Games issues mount

AFP | Nagoya

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The Asian Games in Japan were yesterday facing more accusations of poor organisation with a world champion gymnast "totally exhausted", the public drafted in to rescue stranded athletes and South Korea lodging a complaint about a Japanese warlord.

The continent's premier sporting spectacle opens in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture on Saturday, but the build-up has been soured by several issues.

That includes a shortage of rooms for the more than 17,000 athletes and officials -- a bigger number than the Olympics.

Some teams have also criticised the quality of the accommodation, including beds that are too short.

To save money there is no athletes' village, organisers in-putting competitors in hotels, temporary cabins and on a cruise ship.

Organisers say the accommodation is safe, cost-effective and comfortable.

Chinese gymnast Zhang Boheng, who won two silver medals at the Paris Olympics and has two world championship titles to his name, said he and some of his team-mates were left waiting for six hours after landing on Wednesday.

"I'm totally exhausted," he said in a video published Thursday and shared widely on Chinese social media.