Tahiti’s Cruise Ship Becomes First-ever Floating Athlete Village For Olympics

Surfers competing in Tahiti are staying on the Aranui 5 cruise ship, believed to be the first-ever floating athlete village in Olympic history.

The Aranui 5 is anchored around 45 minutes from the surfing venue and can accommodate up to 230 passengers in over 100 cabins.

The ship features eight guest decks, a spa and a gym.

The decision to use a cruise ship as an athlete village was driven by the necessity to manage the large influx of people and minimize the impact on the local environment in the small town at the end of the road on the small island.

French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson praised the arrangements for their uniqueness.

While media access to the ship has been restricted, athletes have posted images of their floating accommodation on social media.

Surfer Kanoa Igarashi of Japan commended the ship’s amenities, which included a 24-hour dining hall, an Olympic gift store, and an activity centre with ping pong and foosball tables.

In a TikTok video, Igarashi stated that the floating village is better than the accommodations in Paris.

In an Instagram video, New Zealand surfing team coach Matt Scorringe revealed the ship’s pool, which was decked with an Olympic rings statue.

German surfer Tim Elter humorously compared the ship’s cabins to cardboard beds in Paris, highlighting the difference in comfort.

Not all athletes are staying aboard the cruise ship. Some national teams and individuals have chosen nearby houses, sharing photos of picturesque boardwalks leading to the beach, communal meals, and breathtaking views of lush green lawns and palm trees.

The creative idea of housing athletes on a cruise ship emphasizes the versatility of the Olympic spirit as well as the Tahitian surfing venue’s unique appeal.

Reference: AP News, Fox16

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