Sport
London 2012: Usain Bolt and Team Jamaica given ‘royalty treatment’
“This is about not just physical work, but psychological as well. You can’t do that with loads of people.”
The only thing the organizers haven’t provided is, well, more sunshine and warmer weather. Some of the athletes showed up Thursday decked out in jackets with their hoods pulled up.
“It’s been raining here for three months,” Wooldridge said. “But I think the sun is due to come out now and should stay out for the next couple of weeks.”
When Bolt & Co. aren’t on the track, the organizers have made sure they aren’t bored. There’s a garden to stroll through, not to mention games such as dominoes, Scrabble, chess and backgammon. They also have an Xbox console and two televisions, one with a DVD player.
Not only that, but there are also outside activities lined up for the athletes: Seeing the new Batman movie, attending a special church service, being the guests of honor at a welcome dinner and taking in a live concert.
“But we don’t want to do too much and have them over-programmed,” Wooldridge said. “They’re here to prepare for the Olympics. It’s important they don’t end up doing too many public engagements.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be hosting them. We hope we can play a small part in their success at the Olympics.”
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
