Inside Team GB’s ‘island of tranquillity’ on the Olympics

A message from David Beckham, a coffee from the UK’s top barista and a warning to put the lid down on the toilet await our athletes when they arrive on Team GB’s Olympic ‘island of tranquillity’.

Red telephone and post boxes and Union Jack deck chairs provide a taste of home, while two mannequins – Fred and Ginger – add a reminder of what colour clothes to wear each day.

A short walk away stands a gold medal contender for the world’s worst nightclub where booze is banned and revellers can only sip on bottles of zero per cent Corona.

Mail Sport has been given a behind-the-scenes tour of Basecamp Britain, in the middle of the Seine, which 327 medal hopefuls will call home during their time in Paris. 

THE SETTING

The Athletes’ Village is based on two sides of the Seine and Team GB bosses believe they have scored an early victory by grabbing a section of prime real estate across a bridge and on an island, which is viewed as the quieter space than the mainland zone. 

The Chinese team is the only other major nation on their side of the water and their athletes have tended to head to the main canteen over the bridge which serves Asian food – meaning Team GB’s stars can usually roll in into the restaurant without having to queue.

THE VIDEO

Upon arrival, athletes are taken into a reception room where they are shown a stirring video narrated by Scots legend Sir Chris Hoy. 

‘You’ve scarified, endured and pushed beyond what you once thought possible,’ he tells them. ‘Every drop of sweat, every aching muscle, every early morning, every late night has led you here to this moment.

‘The training is done, trust in your preparation and know you are ready. Know that we are with you as supporters, as friends, as team-mates, from the starting gun to the final roar. This is your time, your stage, your Olympics. So go out there and give it everything. I can’t wait to see you fulfil your dreams.’

The video is a who’s who from sport and beyond. David Beckham also chips in, with good luck wishes, while Jessica Ennis-Hill tells them ‘we will be supporting for you the whole way’. 

Comedian Rob Beckett tells them to ‘smash it up’ while Lulu stops short of shouting, but does urge them to ‘show the world just how Team GB rolls.’

An eclectic group includes England footballers Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Pickford, Ollie Watkins and ex-Three Lions goalkeeper-turned-podcaster Ben Foster.

A host of Lionesses stars, Joe Root, Tessa Sanderson, Michael Palin and Romesh Ranganathan also feature among the well-wishers.

THE LOOT

A specially-commissioned bracelet, with the Team GB logo and Paris 2024 inscription are handed out to staff, while athletes are presented with a personalised red adidas tracksuit which features a number of intricate discs on the zip – one for each time they have been selected for the Games. Andy Murray’s, for example, has five.

A hardback picture book is also included in the welcome package, with shots of GB stars at the two previous summer Games in Paris and a foldout section of the ‘unbreakable link’ of the 6,500 or so GB athletes from every competition since Athens in 1896. Charlotte Dujardin features among those depicted from the 2016 Games.

Different teams attend each presentation, with the table tennis and boxing groups applauding each other earlier this week.

Athletes are kitted out before they arrive but each day for the village people is colour-coded, in an attempt to build team togetherness. Mannequins Fred and Ginger, who stand at reception, are kitted out in that day’s colour of choice.

THE CUPPA

In the corner of the lounge there is a pop-up branch of Costa and behind the counter stands the queen of the froth. 

UK and Ireland Barista of the Year Joanne Osborne, 29, has been drafted in to provide beverages for the team throughout the competition. 

Osborne, from Evesham, fought off finalists from far and wide in April over three stages, with her Banoffee Coffee seeing her crowned Costa’s top dog. 

She told Mail Sport that a Cortado – essentially an espresso with an equal amount of steamed milk – had been the order of the day so far.

THE LOUNGE

A dart board, pool table and a games console take centre stage elsewhere in a lounge designed to cater for all downtime needs. 

Super Mario Kart has been the top choice so far, with athletes keen to top the leaderboard on the legendary racing game. 

BBC and Discovery are on the televisions, while a playlist featuring British artists including Coldplay has been selected to provide a soundtrack for the Games.

THE VIRUS

As part of the opening 20-minute presentation led by chef de mission Mark England, athletes are reminded of protocols aimed at stopping the spread of all viruses, including Covid.

The message is clear: ‘Be Safe, Be Smart. Protect the Team.’ Medical staff led by Dr Charlotte Cowie, who is fresh from the England football team’s Euros camp and her role as head of performance medicine at the FA, are well aware of the high Covid rates in the UK currently and are briefed on the picture in Paris itself, with data provided from wastewater testing.

Athletes are told to report any symptoms as early as they can. They will then be given a ‘Point of Care Test’ and may be moved into single rooms to stop any spread. Separate transport to and from the village can also be arranged.

Warnings to stay hydrated, wash hands and close the toilet seat before flushing are also delivered.

THE APARTMENTS

There is no air conditioning, but GB’s athletes can ask for a machine as part of the £70,000 system officials have brought to the French capital. Most so far, however, are throwing open the balcony doors and letting nature do its thing.

Some rooms are shared and some are single occupancy. Athletes are asked for their preference and officials then attempt to cater for their requests. 

Those from team sports tend to prefer sharing, although some solo participants can prefer a roomie. The rooms are split according to the various sports. Where those in relationships are in the same sport, bosses will then make the call based on what they think is best for the team.

THE LIFESTYLE

A total of 200,000 condoms are available at various points around the village, which is the equivalent of two per athlete. Team GB implement a 48-hour rule which means all athletes need to be off site no more than two days after their participation has concluded, a measure which may well reduce the numbers of those present with time to kill.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 750 support staff are present, more than two each for the 327 Team GB athletes. That number far outstrips previous Games, with Paris’s easy access from the UK a major factor.

THE EQUIPMENT

A giant treatment room with an annexe forms a major part of the complex. A series of ice baths have been lined up to face a giant mural of the Paris skyline, with the Eiffel Tower at its centre. Medial services are open from 7am until 10.30pm.

THE NEIGHBOURS

In Tokyo, the Brits faced issues when a number of Union Flag deck chairs were swiped on one evening and a Brompton bicycle also went missing. This time around, the bokes are under lock and key. While the culprits were never made public, the suspicion was that the crimes were committed following a night of partying by rivals staying within the vicinity. Fewer issues are expected this time, with the Dominican Republic, Turkey and Azerbaijan teams the nearest neighbours.

THE VILLAGE

A short walk from Team GB’s apartment block is the canteen, where athletes can load up. An outside grill provides barbecued meat and fish, with salad and carbs provided inside, along with a drinks fountain. For those not competing, there is also a fine selection of cakes, muffins and pizzas.

On the other side of the bridge a boozeless nightclub has also been installed, with alcohol-free Corona on offer, while there is also a giant souvenir store.

Perhaps sadly for those looking forward to a post-Games treat, there is again no McDonald’s, with nuggets off the menu since the fast food giant’s deal ended after the Rio Games.

THE LION

One of the first things athletes see when they arrive at reception is a mosaic of the Team GB Lion, which is split into 28 pieces – one for every sport. 

On it are a number of messages written by the athletes – a promise of what they can bring to the environment over the coming fortnight.