The Village will help to shape the experience of both athletes and officials. It will have everything they need - from medical facilities to restaurants. Their view over the whole Olympic Park will be stunning.
It’s being planned to create a real feel of ‘typical’ London, with the homes built around communal squares and courtyards. Blocks will all have a slightly different feel, designed by different architects. Athletes need to be able to concentrate on their performance; the Village needs to be the place they can relax, recuperate, refocus.
One of the blocks in the Olympic Village being constructed:
We're planning down to the finest detail – whether it’s making sure there are enough beds long enough for the likes of the rowers or Handball players, or that that the shelves in cupboards are the right height for wheelchair users. For that matter, we’re making sure all the buildings are fully accessible – so, for example, they’ve all been equipped with state-of-the-art lifts.
The sporting venues are all just a short walk away, and the new High Speed 1 Javelin shuttles will take athletes from the Village to the centre of the capital in under 10 minutes.
The 'International Zone' will be the place to meet up with friends and families. For those who want to communicate across international distances, there's always wireless internet to keep in touch with loved ones when congratulations or commiserations are needed.
How the Olympic Village will look after the Games:
After the athletes have said goodbye to their home-away-from-home and the Games are over, the Village will play its part in regenerating Stratford City. New shopping, office, leisure, residential, and transport facilities will be available to the communities developing in the Park area.
So it won't just be the athletes who get to experience the comfort of these brand new surroundings.
Keep up-to-date with progress on the Olympic Village by viewing the webcams
