Why some of Australia’s top athletes are refusing to stay in the Olympic Village at the Paris Games
- The Olympic Games in Paris will take place from July 26 to August 11
- The Athletes Village is located in the center of Paris, some locations are on the outskirts
- Village is expected to house more than 14,000 athletes
Some of Australia’s top medalists at this year’s Paris Games are refusing to stay in the Olympic Village to give themselves every opportunity to excel on the world’s biggest stage.
The canoeing, rowing and kayaking events are held at the Vaires-sur-Marine Nautical Stadium on the western edge of the town, almost 40km away from the village, requiring participants in the sport to take a four-hour bus journey to compete .
Gold medal hope Jess Fox – who won gold, silver and twice bronze at previous Olympics and 14 golds at the world championships – is a big name who will carry over the famous atmosphere in the village.
She will be joined by the likes of Alexander Purnell, who took gold in the men’s four-wheel rowing final at the Tokyo Games, and sprint kayakers Jean van der Westhuyzen and Thomas Green, who also took gold in Japan.
Canoeist Jess Fox is one of Australia’s top gold medalists in Paris – and she won’t be staying in the village with 14,000 other athletes
Champion kayakers Jean van der Westhuyzen and Thomas Green (photo after winning gold at the Olympic Games in Japan) will not do that either.
“It’s just time-consuming on the day you have to travel long distances,” he said News Corp.
“We’re there for performance reasons, so if that gives us – and it will – the best chance of representing the country and trying to win medals for Australia, then this is the right decision.”
Australian chef Anna Meares – who won six Olympic gold medals for her country as a cyclist before becoming Paris team boss – said the canoeists, kayakers and rowers won’t be the only competitors based outside the village.
‘They are absolutely unique Games and widespread [there will be] many sub-sites and satellite villages,” she said.
Australian chef de mission in Paris, cyclist Anna Meares (pictured), said the scattered location of the Games’ venues means athletes from different sports will not call the village their home
‘It [the decision to base some athletes away from the village] It was largely at the preparation stage when we talked to sports about what you need for the best outcome and the best environment for your athletes.
‘Is being in the village and commuting the best option, or do you need accommodation closer?
‘And with that feedback from the sport, we work with them to find the accommodation that best suits their needs.
“As an athlete, the less you can move and travel in those environments, the better.”