Why some Olympic athletes get to stay on incredible cruise ship instead of Paris village in world first
Topics: Olympics, Sport, Cruise Ship
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: JEROME BROUILLET/AFP/James D. Morgan/Getty Images
Topics: Olympics, Sport, Cruise Ship
A small number of athletes are staying onboard a luxury cruise ship as opposed to the Olympic Village in Paris, during the games.
A lucky few Olympians have been given the option to stay on an incredible ship whilst competing, but it's only for athletes taking part in a specific sport.
Whilst the majority of athletes will settle down for the night in their cardboard beds - with many complaining of discomfort and back pain - these lot will be enjoying the Aranui 5 ship.
Facilities onboard include a gym, spa, ping pong and foosball tables, a swimming pool and much more.
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And it will be 10,000 miles away in Tahiti, 45 minutes away from where the surfing competition is being held, and it is able to accommodate 230 passengers.
It comes as a world-first addition to the Olympics, as there has never been alternative accommodation for specific sports in previous games.
The media have been restricted from getting a glimpse of the ship, but thanks to the trusty surfing competitors, it's all over their social media.
The Olympics say is the first-ever floating athlete village, with some surfers branding it a lot better than the alternative.
French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson told The Associated Press: "They have a wonderful location for the village, which is on a ship.
"It’s unusual, but they seem to like it.”
In a TikTok tour of the ship, surfer Kanoa Igarashi of Japan said: "I think our athlete village in Tahiti is better than the actual one in Paris."
Matt Scorringe, a coach traveling with the New Zealand surfing team, shared a video on Instagram from the ship, showcasing a pool with a statue of the Olympic rings.
German surfer Tim Elter posted the view from his cruise ship cabin, and shared a video of him tapping the bed frame, noting how it’s not cardboard like those at the Olympic village for athletes in Paris.
But not all surfing competitors have chosen to stay on the ship, some teams or individuals have rented houses closer to the waves.
Some of the facilities onboard are really unnecessary for Olympic athletes, but nevertheless, we're sure they're making the most of every second.
There are three bars on board, one of which is known as the ship's Sky Bar, one shop, a library, and most bizarre of all - a tattoo studio.
There are a range of different room types, including a standard cabin, deluxe cabin, dormitory, junior suite with balcony, royal suite, and presidential suite.