Overcrowding and Chaos Mark Athlete Accommodation at Tokyo Championships
Athletes at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo face overcrowding and accommodation chaos.
Key Points
- • Athletes report significant overcrowding at the Prince Shinagawa hotel.
- • Karsten Warholm and others express health concerns due to the chaotic conditions.
- • Mondo Duplantis opted for a separate hotel to avoid the issues at the main venue.
- • Athletes adapt by altering schedules and exploring outside dining options.
As the 2025 World Championships unfold in Tokyo, athletes are facing significant challenges with their accommodations at the Prince Shinagawa hotel complex, which is drawing widespread criticism. Hosting approximately 2,000 competitors from around 200 countries, the venue has been described as chaotic and overcrowded. Norwegian star Karsten Warholm branded it a "complete chaos," voicing concerns about potential health risks in such a congested environment.
American pole vaulter Katie Moon experienced severe check-in delays and was ultimately ejected from her room upon arrival, an ordeal she found both frustrating and disorganized. Similar frustrations were echoed by Finnish athlete Hilla Uusimäki, who suggested that separate accommodations could help alleviate the stress stemming from constant encounters with fellow competitors.
Swedish athletes have not been immune to the turmoil, with discus thrower Vanessa Kamga opting for less crowded dining periods to avoid lengthy queues. Mondo Duplantis, a leading figure in Swedish athletics, chose to stay at a separate hotel due to the disarray at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. Swedish team members like Oskar Edlund described navigating the hotel as "brutal" and criticized the limited food options available, detailing concerns over food quality after one athlete reportedly fell ill.
Despite the hostile conditions, athletes are adapting by exploring dining alternatives outside the hotel, striving to maintain their health and performance amidst the turmoil of the event.