Village Waking Up

Teams SUI and NGR making their presence felt

The Village is starting to come alive as the Teams take residence, decorating and customising their allocated apartments, offices and spaces to their needs, style and above all national identify – flags and national symbols everywhere.

Teams CAN and AUS show off their love of animals

Canada’s huge red Moose standing at the entrance to their offices  and Australia’s Emu found in its coat of arms  and disarmingly seemingly randomly and incongrously at the entrance and balconies of Team Australia’s block. I feel there is more national identity assertion to come as the Village fills up!

Asserting and celebrating  national identity seems to be one of the key features of the Village – giving athletes a subtle  psychological advantage - taking pride in their country’s presence in the face of others.