In a bold move that redefines 'athlete's village,' the Asian Games in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture have housed thousands of competitors in wooden container huts - because nothing says 'elite athletic performance' like a prefab box that doubles as a disaster evacuation facility.

Jung Jae-yong, vice-president of the Korea Basketball Association, didn't mince words with AFP, calling the accommodation the "worst it has ever been." He added, "Athletes who are over two metres (6ft 7in) tall cannot even stretch their legs out on the beds. It's unreasonable." One can only assume the organizers never considered that basketball players might be tall.

The Games, which officially open Saturday, are hosting more than 17,000 athletes and officials - up from the initial 15,000 expected after teqball and padel were added in mid-August. Around 2,000 of those guests are in the containers, which have been plagued by complaints. A South Korea basketball team member posted a video of a leaking pipe and soaked floor, captioning it: "Please help me." Last week, record rainfall lashed Nagoya, causing flooding and briefly evacuating athletes from the containers. Water leakage was also reported at some competition venues. Because why should the plumbing be any better than the beds?

Jung told AFP that representatives from other countries share his concerns. Indian authorities reportedly built replicas of the huts to acclimate their athletes - presumably so they could practice not sleeping.

Accommodation manager Yuta Matsuo told Reuters the hosts are "fully aware of the dissatisfaction and concerns voiced by the athlete delegations" and are "taking concrete steps to improve the environment." Those steps presumably include locating a toolbox.

Unlike the Olympics, where a designated athletes' village is the norm, organizers opted for temporary housing. Between 4,000 and 5,000 participants are staying on an Italian cruise ship that docked in Nagoya on Tuesday - because nothing says 'amateur sports' like a floating hotel. The rest are in hotels.

Hideaki Omura, president of the organizing committee and Governor of Aichi Prefecture, had previously warned that authorities budgeted for 15,000 people and had "neither the manpower nor the budget to make the necessary arrangements" for more. "There is simply nowhere for them to stay," he said. "If they still wish to come, they will have to make their own arrangements."

But last month, organizers and the Olympic Council of Asia announced that all "17,000-plus" athletes and officials who registered by the July deadline have been provided with "Games-appropriate accommodation." Their statement insisted, "The final preparations are all on track and progressing smoothly ahead of what promises to be the most spectacular Asian Games held for generations." Spectacular indeed - if you like plumbing with your podium finishes.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino told AFP that while all his country's athletes have beds, some officials and coaches are staying in "different hotels and Airbnb." So the athletes get the containers, and the coaches get Wi-Fi.

Basketball and football matches have already started, but the Games officially run from Saturday to 4 October. Here's hoping the only records broken are on the field.