On a balmy Tuesday afternoon, thousands of athletes and staff roamed the Olympic village, mingling at cafés and swapping souvenir pins.
While strict health protocols sucked the fun out of the Games in Tokyo and Beijing as masked athletes were forced to keep their distance, procedures are more relaxed in Paris, though still careful. Visitors to Canada’s Olympic Village home are asked to wear masks as there is still a fear of COVID sidelining athletes. Two of Australia’s water polo athletes tested positive for COVID, the Australian Olympic committee said on Tuesday, with one not well enough to train.
Yet the atmosphere around Canada’s residence is joyful as the athletes settle in. There are vending machines, and food and beverage kiosks throughout the building – free for the athletes – as well as gyms, playrooms and comfortable chairs overlooking the Seine River.
Some Canadian athletes spent Tuesday exercising outside, jogging, doing gymnastics and holding team meetings.
Olympic organizers are proud of the 52-hectare village, just north of Paris, which will play host to some 14,500 athletes and their staff before welcoming 9,000 for the Paralympics. One thing that can’t be missed is the security. Police officers patrol the grounds and are stationed at different points and in speedboats patrolling up and down the Seine.
- With files from Reuters
