L to R Simon Clegg, Simon Mason, Adam Pengilly, Sarah Winckless, Ade Adeptain, Stephanie Cook, Shirley Robertson, Andrew Hunt, Karen Pickering, Tim Hollingsworth, Peter Keen, jonathan Edwards. LOCOG
The first-class accommodation and facilities for athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Village have been given the seal of approval by Olympians and Paralympians from the Athletes’ Committee who met for the final time today ahead of the London 2012 Games.
The Athletes’ Committee was established by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) in May 2009 to look after the needs and interests of athletes competing at the London 2012 Games. Led by Jonathan Edwards and Tanni Grey-Thompson its foundation is part of LOCOG’s commitment to an athlete-centric Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Athlete Committee evolved from the former Sport Advisory Group, with both groups building upon athlete involvement from the Bid phase. Committee members (listed here) have competed at 22 Olympic and nine Paralympic Games between them.
Ensuring athletes’ comfort and convenience at the Olympic and Paralympic Village was a key priority for the Athletes’ Committee. The group met on the Village site for the final time today and gave their seal of approval to the Village and some of the innovative new features and facilities for athletes that they have helped implement including:
• ‘Grab and Go’ Carts. A series of ‘Grab and Go’ carts will be installed strategically throughout the Village allowing athletes to pick up energy food on the go without having to go to the main dining area. This will include items such as porridge, juice, muffins and fruit and will guarantee a convenient food option to fit within athletes’ busy training schedules.
• A landscaped jogging area. A landscaped jogging area will be will be within easy reach of athlete accommodation. Located to the west of the Village accessed by a bridge into Olympic Park it will allow athletes to exercise in a pleasant environment without leaving the Village itself.
• All accommodation will have a lounge area as well as bedrooms. Each apartment or town house will have its own comfortable lounge with soft furnishings and furniture, a TV with domestic feed and Games feed and wif-fi internet.
• Black-out curtains will be installed in all bedrooms. Significant research and investment with LOCOG’s domestic partner IHG has been channelled into guaranteeing the best black out solution possible allowing athletes to rest well during the day.
• Private and open space for athletes to relax in. The Village residential plots have been built around spacious courtyards offering private space for athletes, with balconies overlooking the Olympic Park and a Central Park area creating an open area for athletes to relax in
Olympic gold medallist and LOCOG’s Athletes’ Committee Chair, Jonathan Edwards said: “It has been a privilege to lead the Athletes’ Committee group over the past three years and I believe the Olympic and Paralympic Village we have seen today ranks among the best at any previous Games. The Village has been built around the very specific needs of modern performance athletes and I am confident they will benefit from some of the new features and initiatives the Athletes’ Committee have helped deliver.”
LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: “The aim of the London 2012 Village has always been to provide a physical estate of beauty and convenience supported by athlete centred services which rank among the standards of the best hotels world-wide. Today’s reveal is another glimpse into what is being done to help athletes prepare for one of the biggest sporting moments of their lives. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jonathan Edwards and the Athlete Committee for their assistance in developing these new ideas.’
The London 2012 Village will house up to 16,000 athletes and team officials during the Olympic Games, and 6,200 athletes and team officials plus 1000 referees and umpires during the Paralympic Games, from more than 200 teams around the world. Located between the Olympic Park and Westfield, Stratford it is the most compact Village in recent Games history although maintains a spacious feel through a series of landscaped green areas incorporated into its layout.
