SYDNEY — The athletes’ village for the Sydney Olympics, with a dining area to serve 5000 people at one sitting, has been acclaimed by Australian Games officials as the best ever.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) unveiled the village to the media on Wednesday. Athletes and officials start moving in from September 2, with the Games beginning on September 15.

Unlike the Atlanta Games in 1996, they will not have to pay for their accommodation and will be offered a free laundry service.

‘It’s the best ever Olympic village without a doubt,’ said Robyn Maher, who captained Australia to a bronze medal in women’s basketball at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

The village has 800 houses and 350 apartments and will host 10,000 athletes and 5000 officials.

Facilities and services at the village include facials, massages, aromatherapy, a dance club and a video games hall.

AOC president John Coates said the village was low-rise by design which meant it was ‘a lot more spread-out’ than some other Olympic villages.

‘It is a village of which the AOC is immensely proud,’ Coates said.

He recalled in 1988 at Seoul that some athletes ‘freaked out’ over living on the 23rd floor at the village.

Athletes effectively have to walk only across the road to the main Olympic stadium and other venues, and need venture no further than their balconies to view Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After the Paralympic Games on October 18-29, the Sydney Olympic village will be turned into private housing.

Source: SOCOG