Vancouver Information and Newspaper

VANOC aimed for a home-away-from-home atmosphere at its Olympic villages, but unless athletes already have a personal gym, hotel-grade bedding, a masseuse and a chef, they’re getting quite an upgrade.

Competitors at the villages in Whistler and Vancouver will have 24-hour access to a market-style dining hall, games rooms outfitted with pool tables and beanbag chairs, Internet cafés, and concierge services — among other amenities.

“What (we) really wanted to do was minimize stress,” said Nejat Sarp, general manager of Vancouver Village.

“People from different cultures (have) different ideas of what a home should be like,” he said.

The first of the roughly 6,000 athletes and officials started moving into their temporary accommodations late last week.

The villages are set up more like towns than hotels, and include banks, shops, clinics and faith centres.

Cathy Priestner Allinger, executive vice-president, sport and Games operations, said VANOC solicited input from athletes to find out what they wanted in their villages.

“(We’re letting) them focus on what’s most important to them: Competing,” said Priestner.

“The athletes will have everything they need to perform on their day.”