The unexpectedly high number of visitors to Aichi-Nagoya complicated accommodation arrangements at times. The influx of additional tour groups within a short period also placed greater pressure on the logistics and coordination systems.
According to the 2026 Asian Games Organizing Committee, prior to the Games, the number of athletes and officials was projected to be around 15,000. Meanwhile, the Asian Olympic Council stated that the actual number exceeded 17,000. Some delegations reported difficulties in arranging sufficient accommodation for all members after arriving in Aichi-Nagoya. This is a logistical challenge that often arises at multi-sport events where a very high number of people gather in a short period of time.
At ASIAD 2026, delegations will be accommodated in various types of lodging, from hotels and mobile prefabricated housing to a cruise ship docked at Nagoya port. This approach aligns with the policy of utilizing existing infrastructure and limiting new construction, thereby saving costs and reducing environmental impact. The mobile accommodations, along with their materials and equipment, are also being planned for continued use or reuse after the Games.
However, when the actual number of participants exceeded expectations, connecting multiple accommodation points to airports and competition venues increased transportation needs beyond initial calculations. This is one of the issues that needs closer consideration in the preparation for future international sporting events.
During the Games, several delegations reported that bus schedules were sometimes disrupted, while travel times to competition venues were longer than expected. In women's volleyball, one match was delayed by 30 minutes due to the late arrival of the athletes' transportation. Some delegation members also had to wait for hours at the airport after arriving in Nagoya.
Ms. Hashimoto stated that although the organizing committee had conducted numerous simulations before the event, unforeseen situations could still occur. Therefore, improving response capabilities and making timely adjustments are crucial to minimizing the impact on athletes and competition.
Besides logistics, the weather also significantly impacted the organization process. Prolonged rain over several days, along with the risk of storms, made transportation and the implementation of certain activities more complicated at various times.
Audience interest in events is also uneven. Some competitions attract large crowds, while many others, including the opening ceremony, record lower-than-expected attendance. This fact is a factor that needs to be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of organization and the ability to attract the public to large-scale sporting events.
The President of the Japanese Olympic Committee assessed that the 2026 Asian Games provided Japan with valuable practical experience in organizing large-scale international sporting events, and suggested that all relevant parties should continue to review each stage to improve the operational process for the future.
The 2026 Asian Games demonstrate that organizing a major sporting event requires not only appropriate infrastructure and resources, but also careful consideration of participant numbers, accommodation capacity, transportation systems, weather conditions, and audience appeal. Effectively utilizing existing infrastructure while ensuring flexible responses to unforeseen circumstances is increasingly becoming a crucial requirement for countries hosting major international sporting events.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/asiad-2026-nhung-bai-hoc-tu-mot-ky-dai-hoi-the-thao-quy-mo-lon-post1391071.html
