- The Paris Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11
- The Athletes’ Village is in the center of Paris, some venues on the outskirts.
- The Village will host more than 14,000 athletes
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Some of Australia’s biggest medal hopes at this year’s Paris Games are refusing to remain in the Olympic Village for every chance to excel on the world’s biggest stage.
The canoeing, rowing and kayaking events are held at the Vaires-sur-Marine Nautical Stadium, on the western outskirts of the city, almost 40 kilometers from the town, requiring competitors to take a four-hour bus ride. to compete.
Gold medal hope Jess Fox, who won one gold, one silver and two bronzes at the previous Olympic Games and 14 golds at the world championships, is a big name who will skip the famous village atmosphere.
She will be joined by the likes of Alexander Purnell, who took gold in the coxless four-man rowing final at the Tokyo Games, and sprint kayakers Jean van der Westhuyzen and Thomas Green, who also took gold in Japan.
Canoeist Jess Fox is one of Australia’s best hopes to win gold in Paris and will not be staying in the village along with 14,000 other athletes.
Neither will kayak champions Jean van der Westhuyzen and Thomas Green (pictured after winning gold at the Japan Olympics)
“It just takes a lot of time during the day when you have to travel long distances,” he said. news corporation.
“We’re there for performance reasons, so if that’s going to give us – and it will – the best opportunity to represent the country and try to win medals for Australia, then it’s the right decision.”
Australian chef de mission Anna Meares, who won six Games golds for her country as a cyclist before becoming head of the Paris team, said canoeists, kayakers and rowers will not be the only competitors based outside the village. .
“They are definitely unique Games and are very widespread [there will be] “There are many subsites and satellite villages,” he said.
Australia’s chef de mission in Paris, cycling great Anna Meares (pictured), said the scattered location of the Games venues means athletes from various sports will not call the village home.
‘He [the decision to base some athletes away from the village] A lot of it depended on the preparation phase when we were talking to sports about what it takes to get the best result and the best environment for their athletes.
‘Is being in the town and commuting the best option, or do you need accommodation closer?
‘And with that feedback from sports, we work with them to try to find the accommodation that best suits their needs.
“As an athlete, the less you can move and travel in those environments, the better.”
