February 2010

Inside the Athletes' Village

by Dave Watt

After a final training camp at Apex mountain last week, the mogul team arrived at the village on Saturday. When we landed at Vancouver airport there were volunteers waiting to give out the accreditations, handle all the luggage and drivers to take everyone to the village. It was very smooth.

The village itself is fantastic and because we're the host country we scored the best condos. All overlooking the water, huge rooms, big soaker tubs and rain showers. There are no appliances in the condos, except for mini fridges and a toaster oven. Each country has their own set of condos and they all hang their flags from the balconies. A lot of you probably saw the controversy with the Aussies and their flag, but it seems to be resolved. The dining area has a wide variety of foods and a 24 hour McDonalds, which by the way is always busy. The gym facility is massive and state of the art. Lots of lounge areas for the athletes to relax, play video games and a ton of security.

I was able to have a tour of the medical facilities with the Chief Medical Officer from the Canadian Olympic Committee. Wow, if you get hurt this is the place to do it. They have a full ER trauma room with the ambulances being able to pull up directly to the room. Every medical specialty you could ask for (one Canadian had an emergency root canal done) MRI, C.T. scan, Ultrasound with a radiologist to read the films immediately. Braces, orthotics, eyeglasses. If you need it, it's there. Very impressive.

Each night they introduce a team at the main stage and last night was Canada's night. Sandra Oh from Grey's Anatomy was the emcee, with Stephen Harper, the mayor and a bunch of other dignitaries. It really began to sink in that the games are about to begin.

It's hard not to catch yourself staring at some of the well known athletes. As a fan you really want to talk to them or get an autograph, but it's not the place to do it and I've held back. Shaun White, the US halfpipe snowboarder seems to have the biggest group of followers. 60 minutes did a piece on him a couple of weeks ago and the apparently he makes about $10 million a year.

Everyone on the mogul team (including Anne-Marie's friend P.A.) are doing very well. The women are competing this Saturday and the men on Sunday, with the finals of both events taking place in the evening.