When we think of the Olympics, it’s easy to picture the triumphant moments; athletes beaming with pride, medals gleaming against their chests, and the palpable exhaustion of a job well done. But what about the crucial steps leading up to that pinnacle of success?
Images have emerged from inside the Olympic Village’s gym, giving an insight into how these world-class athletes will prepare between events.
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A wall lined with treadmills, a series of weight racks, rows of high-tech equipment, and individual workstations complete with benches or mats. Illuminated by giant windows, the room is dotted only by a few Olympic-themed artworks adorning white walls. It’s possible to imagine as athletes fill the space, being enveloped by a sea of muscles and different accents jostling past one another, beads of sweat soaking the floor beneath.
A look inside the Olympic Village gym
This year, the heart of this rigorous training will beat strongest at the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Paris Saint Denis. Here, athletes from every sport will hone their skills using state-of-the-art equipment. Specialised training hubs will also be strategically located at competition venues and other Olympic Villages in Lille, Marseilles, and Tahiti, each tailored to meet the unique needs of different sports.
For the 2024 Paris Olympics there are 29 training centres equipped with over 1200 Technogym pieces of technical equipment. These will be used by over 15 000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes over the course of the Olympic period. To ensure athletes get the most out of their training, there will also be a team of professional athletic trainers on hand. These experts have assisted with gym layout, installation, and technical services; and are working closely with athletes to familiarise them with the equipment.
When it comes to fitness equipment, quality and innovation are key; the curation of gym equipment covers all training areas like cardio, strength, and functional training, and are intended to enhance performance, prevent injuries, and aid in rehabilitation.
Athletes will also have AI on their side; the gym Technology ecosystem allows for everything from personalised workouts based on personal goals, but then also features like one’s daily walk outside being reproduced on the treadmill, topography, length and all.
Given the colossal scale of the event, it’s easy to overlook the athlete’s preparation. But you can’t just expect to show up on the highest stage and perform. The real magic happens long before the starter gun fires, especially in those final, intense days of preparation.
The culture of the Olympic Village, particularly the gym, has a profound impact on athletes. Team Great Britain’s Chiefs believe that this culture will be their “superpower” at the Paris Olympics 2024. Training alongside the best of the best on top-tier equipment fuels the competitive drive every athlete needs to reach for gold.
Every drop of sweat, every injury setback, every early morning and every late night has led our athletes to this moment, and we have full faith in them – Allez Aus!
