SYDNEY - While some Australians derive pleasure in the construction problems dogging preparations for the Athens Olympics, it emerged yesterday that the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 might also prove a headache for athletes.
Claustrophobic competitors may need to make alternative living arrangements after a report claimed that each of the
four-bedroom houses in the Games village would accommodate up to 25 athletes.
Guy Pahor, project director for Australand's development of the Games village, said between 20 and 25 athletes would live in two-storey houses that typically would have four bedrooms and a study.
That could mean four or more athletes in each bedroom.
The ratio during the Sydney 2000 Olympics - widely proclaimed as "the best ever" - was two athletes a room.
Despite Pahor's forecast a spokesperson for the Melbourne organising committee said the numbers were "operating" figures only.
The Games committee has not signed off on any housing configurations, and would not finalise plans before next year.
More than two athletes to a room would worry Australian hammer-thrower Stuart Rendell.
"I'm 118kg and take up a fair bit of space, and one of my other colleagues, [shot-putter] Justin Anlezark, is 135kg ... and I don't really want to be in his space.
"You get a team of throwers together before a competition, they get a bit edgy."
The village will accommodate about 4500 athletes and 1500 team officials in March 2006.
After the Games the village will be further developed to house up to 700 apartments, a 100-bed nursing home and more than 1000 houses.
- NZPA
