London olympic village cost
Most athletes will share rooms in the apartments, which vary in size from one to five bedrooms.
Sleeping accommodation is spread across 11 residential blocks separated by orderly, tree-lined courtyards. Inevitable teething troubles are being worked out, including a water system failure that left many without showers on Saturday. Up to 16,000 athletes and officials from more than 200 nations will take up residence later this month in the high-security compound. The vast complex includes more than 2.7 million square feet of living space and is adjacent to the Olympic Park in east London. More Olympic coverage: London hosts the Games "Not all the competitors are of legal drinking age and, besides, you don’t want to put temptation in peoples' way," one official told. Named after Shakespeare's Globe Theater, it offers 10 pool tables, a private cinema and a computer gaming area – but no alcohol. There's not much opportunity for mischief in the village's bar, either. Duvet covers bear the words "excellence, friendship and respect."Īll of the beds are single and walls are thin - which may disappoint those hoping to burn off calories with the help of fellow competitors. 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. (Spare a thought for workers who had to put together more than 9,000 cabinets and wardrobes.) Mattresses were chosen by a committee of athletes but are built for function rather than indulgence. In shared sleeping spaces, beds are close together and most furniture is of the functional, self-assembly variety. The verdict? Apartments 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.
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In the first of a series of "Olympic sleepovers" designed to road-test the facilities, was invited to spend the night in the vast complex.