What REALLY happens in the Olympic Village: The facility where top athletes spend their free time, including a hairdresser and a crèche (but don’t ask for fries!)
It’s been almost a week since the Olympic Games kicked off in Paris on July 26 and the British team have already won multiple gold medals in a range of sports, from swimming and diving to canoe slalom.
After a long day of competition, 14,000 athletes gather in the Olympic Village, which is spread over three areas of Paris: Saint-Denis, Saint Ouen and L’Île-Saint-Denis.
But how do the athletes relax after training for an event for the past four years?
The solution is to go to a Tiki bar for a drink, get your hair and nails done at the salon, and relax in a mindfulness room.
FEMAIL takes a look at what Olympians can do if they don’t win gold, silver and bronze for their country.
Tiki bar
Australian tennis player Daria Saville, 30, shared what was happening in the Olympic Village on her TikTok page.
The Tiki bar played loud music to keep the mood going and athletes could get a variety of non-alcoholic drinks
Team Australia tennis player Daria Saville was heard talking about non-alcoholic beer
She was walking with her friends when they came across a trendy wooden tiki bar with all kinds of plants growing out of it.
The bar played music to keep the mood going and athletes could get a variety of non-alcoholic drinks. Some even had their own DJs.
These are scattered throughout the village so that residents can quench their thirst after a long day of fighting for gold.
Daria could be heard say: ‘I guess it tastes like beer, but it’s non-alcoholic?’
Viewers expressed their jealousy that they were not allowed to stay there, while others described the village as a ‘summer camp for adults’.
Bakery, Costa coffee and slushies
Jennifer Lehane, a boxer for the Irish team, also shared more information about the inside of the village for the Paris Olympics.
She said athletes are given freshly baked bread and pastries at a store, but it all appears to be free.
Jennifer said athletes get freshly baked bread and pastries at a store, but it’s all seemingly free
She also revealed that there will be a Costa coffee stand where Olympians can get free barista-made coffee
She also revealed that there will be a Costa coffee stall where Olympians can satisfy their caffeine cravings without spending a penny.
The stall is right outside their front door, meaning after a day of training they can just step outside and get a drink.
The Irish camp team also received a free slush machine with four different flavours to help them cool off in the hot weather.
Jennifer also shared that there was a tiki bar, to which Simone Biles responded by saying, “Where is this tiki bar you’re talking about??!!”
She then replied, “Past the Olympic rings to the right! I’ll be happy to show you. Have a nice tournament.”
Canteen with international cuisine
Athletes from all over the world can eat their favorite dishes as each country is divided into different sections
There are a maximum of 3,300 seats in the main part of the canteen, as there are 14,000 Olympians in Paris
The catering provides around 60,000 meals per day and the main restaurant has 3,300 seats.
Australian boxer Tina Rahimi showed her followers around the site and explained the different dishes available there.
Athletes from all over the world can enjoy their favourite dishes, as each country is divided into different sections and the menu changes every eight days.
These range from French dishes to African-Caribbean food. The venue also has a halal section for those who follow the Islamic faith.
Hairdressing and beauty salons
Dutch swimmer Valerie Vanroon had her hair washed, cut and styled during her trip
The hairdressers offer a variety of free treatments such as manicures, hair styling, facials, cuts and washes
The Olympic Village also features stylish hairdressers and beauty salons, where staff are on hand to help athletes look their best.
They offer a variety of complimentary treatments such as manicures, hair styling, facials, haircuts and washes.
Dutch swimmer Valerie Vanroon She had her hair washed, cut and styled during her visit to the salon and seemed very pleased with the results.
Fitness and mindfulness areas
There is also a mindfulness room with relaxing blue lights inside, along with yoga mats with benches so they can rest after a long day
There is a fully equipped gym available for them which is open 24 hours a day for athletes
As an athlete representing his country, it is important for him to stay fit and healthy, so it is no surprise that there is a large, fully equipped gym for him that is open 24 hours a day.
Jessica Fox, an Australian canoeist, shared the inside of the Olympic Village with her followers.
She walked into the gym and showed that there were several exercise bikes, rowing machines and squat racks.
There is also a mindfulness room with soothing blue lighting and yoga mats with benches so you can rest after a long day.
A nursery
For the first time, the Olympic Village now has a fully equipped childcare facility with play areas and supplies for parents, such as wipes and diapers.
It’s the first time parents can drop off their kids to play, as it’s open every day during games from 9am to 9pm. There’s also a private breastfeeding area.
Two families can use the space at the same time. Athletes such as Hillary Heron, for example, already use the children’s room.
…And the things it doesn’t have
While Olympic competitors may be able to enjoy a canteen full of their favorite foods from around the world, they can’t do so with fries, foie gras and avocados.
This is because the organizers cited logistical issues and potential risks in offering these dishes.
Earlier this year, Charles Guilloy, a chef in the village, told the New York Times: ‘French fries are too risky because of fire hazard concerns compared to deep fryers.
‘No to foie gras (duck or goose liver), because animal welfare is important to everyone.
‘And no to avocados, because they are imported from far away and use a lot of water.’
But Team GB bosses admitted they would send their own chefs in after they described the food on offer as ‘inadequate’.
Andy Anson, the chief executive of the British Olympic Association, told the Time: ‘There are certain foods that are not enough: eggs, chicken, certain carbohydrates. And then there is the quality of the food, such as raw meat that is served to athletes.’
Sodexo Live, the company responsible for catering, said it has increased daily orders of its most popular dishes, such as eggs and chicken, following complaints.
A spokesperson told L’Equipe that they are “working to increase supplies to the restaurants in the athletes’ village”.
