Olympiad in full swing

Dinesh WEERAWANSA reporting from England

The XXXth edition of modern summer Olympiad is in full swing in the British capital. There are 26 sports, disciplines as they are called in Olympic jargon, that are being worked off at 31 different venues during 16 days of competition until curtain comes down with the closing ceremony on August 12.

The Olympic Park at Stratford is the busiest place in own with at least one train arriving at three Olympic Park's gateway stations in every 15 seconds during the 204-nation Games. There are thousands of volunteers, paid staff and assistants to help those who come to Olympic Park, mostly by train. It is estimated that well over 80 percent of spectators for the Olympic Park arrive by train.

The Olympic Park, which could hold up to 180,000 people, is the most sought-after place, not only for those who are ‘armed’ with ticket to witness competitions but also for those who are ‘unlucky’ not to get an opportunity to witness Olympic action. The Olympic Park consists of nine competition venues, including the main Olympic Stadium which hosted the opening ceremony. Other venues at Olympic Park include the Aquatic Centre, Basketball Arena, BMX Track, Hockey Centre, Velodrome, Water polo Arena, Eton Manor and Handball Arena. After the conclusion of the Games, the Olympic Park will be developed as one of the largest urban parks created in Europe for more than 150 years.

There are 21 giant screens and event spaces that have been set up in urban centres around the UK. This is apart from other normal screens that have been put up at most places as ‘medication’ for people who have been hit by Olympic fever.

Over 200,000 trees each have been planted in Olympic Park as well as Olympic Village - mostly British species such as willow, ash, birch, alder, hazel, cherry, poplar, lime and London plane. Life at other Olympic Village, or Athletes’ Village as some call, is altogether a new and memorable experience for Olympic competitors, coaches and team officials. Apart from large cafeterias to carer 10,500 guests, there are large recreation areas, gymnasiums, indoor sports centres such as snooker and many other activities from face painting to nail polishing.

That's not all. There are churches, temples, mosques, Hindu kovils and other religious places for athletes to indulge in their religious faiths. Some come to these to pledges vows in the eve of their events. The Olympic Village has its own style of night life with different type of music, cultural events and excitement.

Language is no barrier at Olympic Village. Each contingent is ‘armed’ with volunteers who speak their own native language, apart from common language English. There are language cards for the benefit of those who are not so fluent in English. But sign language is the best mode for the athletics to get their message across.

Even athletes whose countries are in two different global political camps, make friends in true Olympic spirit. That proves sport is a great leveler, irrespective of race, religion or nationality. From the most elite athletes in the world to little known competitor who has Meade it to London Games as a wild card entry, Olympians at the Games village mix with true spirit of the global event. Sri Lanka's Olympic contingent is no exception, doing their friendly rounds, making new friends and experiencing the new Olympic excitement.

Except for athletes Sonali Christine Merril and Anuradha Indrajith Cooray, all Sri Lankan sportsmen and women have finished their events. Hence, they have ample time to make new friends and to experience the true Olympic turn Olympic atmosphere.

Others in the Olympic family, who do not have permission to enter the Olympic Village, unless making a prior appointment with team officials, there is a Mixed Zone. That is the busiest place at Olympic Village as athletes meet their guests and share their Olympic experience.

Team and training come first for swimmers at the Olympic Games. That puts personal relationships in third place at best, even for couples in which both halves are competing. For instance, after U.S. swimmer Ricky Berens joined Michael Phelps in winning gold in the 800-meter freestyle relay on Tuesday night, Berens told his hometown newspaper that he was retiring.

His longtime girlfriend, U.S. teammate Rebecca Soni, swam a preliminary heat on Wednesday morning. After she swam, she was asked about Berens announcing his retirement.ÓHe did?” Soni said.

Mayor of the Olympic Village, Sir Charles Allen says there are no set rule and regulations governing the village. “Basically each team have their own rules, we don't have a long list of rules and regulations, there are no curfews, we just ask people to respect each other,” he said.

But it's not the only vice in the village. The dining hall features a McDonald's and there are strategically placed smoking huts around the grounds for those with the habit. It could be tagged as a rich university campus than something befitting the regimented life an elite athlete.

Referring to news on what media called “the unofficial Olympic sport”, Mayor Sir Allen said that side of the Games will be handled and he responds in trademark English fashion.ÓI'd like to think we're prepared for every occasion,” he said.

Condoms have been purchased and are ready to distribute. “Conservatively, I think we've got 150,000. Basically there are 16,000 residents at peak - you do the math.” That's more than the 90,000 condoms ordered for the Sydney 2000 Games and the 100,000 in Beijing 2008.

However, no alcohol is sold anywhere in the village, which softens the blow of learning that the bar closes at 11pm in the 24-hour recreation area. Residents of the Olympic Village will not be permitted to ‘smuggle’ alcohol to the Village as through scanning is done at the entrance.

Great Britain's Tasha Danvers, former 400m hurdles Olympic bronze medallist, has warned British athletes and by extension other athletes of the dangers that Olympic Games Village could pose to them. The village can, she says, destroy an athlete who is not focused.

However, Danvers was not in any way condemning the Olympic Games Village. But she reminds athletes that the Olympic Villages are always full of excitement and full of life that an athlete may lose focus. “In the village there is everything you could imagine regarding entertainment,” Tasha says in her Evening Standard column.

“There are discos, Internet cafes, movie theatres, and athletes communal areas where you can play snooker, and video games, you name it and it’s there.”

Olympic village has gardens and other fun places and in London here, the Village is beautiful and the imposing structures are a good piece of art.

The greatest advantage of being in the Olympic Village is the chance to foster international relations, of one form or another, with all teams surrounded by possible friends and foes on every side. After all, its a lifetime experience that is hard to match and could only be experienced at Olympics. LONDON, Thursday.