Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa confirmed on Wednesday that athletes who arrived early for the Asian Games sustained no injuries following severe flooding in the central Japanese city.
“There is no concern regarding the state of the venues, and we are confident the Asian Games will proceed as scheduled,” Hirosawa told reporters.
The Asian Games, which attracts more athletes than the Summer Olympics, is set to commence on September 19 in Nagoya and its surrounding areas, concluding on October 4.
Over 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions across Asia have registered for the event. For context, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics featured approximately 10,700 athletes.
The preceding edition of the Asian Games took place three years prior in Hangzhou, China.
Hirosawa noted that approximately 400 athletes and staff, housed in converted shipping containers repurposed as temporary accommodations for the Games, were briefly relocated to higher ground during the intense downpour.
He added that while several venues experienced roof leaks, the damage was limited with no more significant issues reported across the dozens of competition sites.
Record-breaking rainfall struck parts of the city on Tuesday, inundating numerous roads and homes while leaving pedestrians and vehicles stranded. According to the mayor, municipal bus and subway services were temporarily halted.
Reports indicate that roughly 3,500 residents sought refuge at emergency evacuation centers.
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