London's $1.5B Olympic Village features apartments that are "light and airy but far from luxurious: Only some have en-suite bathrooms, even fewer have balconies and there are no kitchens as all cooking will be done in a 24-hour cafeteria that seats 5,000," according to Alastair Jamieson of MSNBC.com. In shared sleeping spaces, beds are "close together and most furniture is of the functional, self-assembly variety." Mattresses were "chosen by a committee of athletes but are built for function rather than indulgence." The "pristine white walls and blackout curtains are livened by beanbags and chairs in the now-familiar bright neon colors of the London 2012 logo, and there are televisions with 28 channels including live feeds of all the Olympic events." Duvet covers bear the words "excellence, friendship and respect." The village's bar, named after Shakespeare's Globe Theater, "offers 10 pool tables, a private cinema and a computer gaming area -- but no alcohol." Up to 16,000 athletes and officials from over 200 countries "will take up residence later this month in the high-security compound." Inevitable "teething troubles are being worked out, including a water system failure that left many without showers on Saturday." Food is "among the biggest concerns for organizers." Serving stations are "sorted by culinary tradition with Indian, Asian, Mediterranean and Afro-Caribbean dishes served at different counters along with a 'Best of British' area with local favorites such as sausages, brown sauce and English mustard." Sponsorship deals mean the "only branded drinks available to athletes are those made by Coca-Cola, including Powerade and Abbey Well Water" (MSNBC.com, 7/2).
MIXING IT UP: In London, Jacquelin Magnay noted IOC President Jacques Rogge will "shun the luxury and convenience of his swish Mayfair hotel for the fun and games of the athletes' village for as many nights as he can during the Games." Rogge said that he "enjoys the camaraderie and directness of the athletes -- and the food in the dining hall -- so much so he will try and spend as much time as possible in the 11 tower block village adjacent to Olympic Park." It may be that his schedule "allows for as many as five overnight stays in the village." Rogge said, "I will stay as much as I can. I won’t be able to stay full-time because I have too many functions with the organising committee but after that I will go to the athletes village and stay there. ... I would expect about a third of my time will be in the athletes' village." Rogge started the overnight athletes village stays "when he became president just after the Sydney 2000 Olympics, but at every Games since he has extended the length of his visits" (London TELEGRAPH, 6/30).
