Village Life

As most of you have likely guessed from my blogging absence, I have been very busy lately. Since my last post, I flew back and forth to Singapore, experienced a minor whiplash injury during a riding practice (no worries--I have since almost completely recovered), and finally settled into life in the Olympic Village.

One of the constants of every Olympic Games is the Village. It is the location where most athletes are housed during the Olympics and is the center of fun, training, medical, and general living needs for athletes. This Olympics, the village is a sizable complex of nearly one square mile filled with numerous apartment complexes, a vast dining room, office space, a fitness center, and even a 50-meter outdoor pool. It was built new for the Olympics and we are the first occupants of the housing (which also has problems of new housing like doors not fitting quite right and small plumbing issues being worked out).

The inside of the village is pristine, a combination of modern apartments with classical Chinese architecture for the small parks and rivers in between buildings. There is also an office for the "mayor" of the village that is built in classic Chinese architecture.

Each country is housed in their own area. Because Team USA is so large, we cover the better part of two apartment buildings in the complex. Our buildings have American flags hanging from nearly every balcony. And while a few of the highest profile athletes have opted to stay in hotels, most of Team USA is in the village. One of the high points of being here is running into friends from other sports and taking to them about their athletic performances. Everyone is excited to be here to compete, and it shows in elevator conversation and passing "hellos".

At the village, the USOC has set up a full medical clinic that is manned 24-hours a day for our medical needs. We also have internet rooms, AT&T phones that call back to the United States for free, and plenty of water and sports drinks in coolers to fight off the natural dehydration in the hot and humid climate here.

Aside from the living accommodations, we have a full laundry facility with a 12-hour turnaround (although I found out today that you have to give them smaller loads or your clothes don't get very clean). There are game rooms, a McDonalds, and lots of TVs to watch events as well. If you wanted, you could spend your entire Olympics in the village and have a pretty good time.

Transit to and from the village is very efficient as well. The Chinese have done a great job of making it easy to get around the city. Cabs only cost about a dollar per ten minutes in the car so I have been taking cabs as often as official Olympic transit vehicles.

All in all, this place is a lot of fun. I am finally able to relax and enjoy the experience, feeling ready to compete in a few days. With only a few workouts left, I am starting to feel ready for my day to come…