Rio 2016 Olympic Village: Heather Watson opens the doors as Team GB athletes settle in

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Heather Watson today said she is settling into life in her Olympic village dormitory — which she shares with eight male Team GB flatmates.

The Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, 24, who endured a tough evening workout before her first tennis match this weekend, said Team GB’s apartment tower in the village is beginning to feel more like home.

“We’re settling in good although I still need to unpack,” she said. “Some of us were on different flights because we couldn’t all get on the same flight. “It’s really good, it doesn’t feel like home yet, it’s different high-density living, so I’m just getting used to it, and I’m sharing a dorm with eight other guys so I’ve got to get used to that. They’re all neat and tidy so far so we’ll see, it’s just all of us tennis all together.

The Standard was given access to the apartments just west of the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, where athletes can enjoy swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, outdoor terrace with Union Jack deckchairs and widescreen TV, video games, table tennis and pool.

Watson, the former British number one, said: “It’s very important to feel somewhere where we’re comfortable and happy because it plays a big part in your performance and I am very happy so far.”

The Olympian, who moved into the tower on Monday, was joined by fellow tennis players, the women’s and men’s hockey teams, divers, gymnasts, swimmers and canoeists.

Not all competitors have opted to bed down in the village — Andy Murray has chosen to stay elsewhere, according to athletes, although there are reports the Wimbledon champion, 29, could move in later. Watson said: “Andy’s not staying here, he’ll stay outside the village because not all of his team can come in.”

Hockey player Helen Richardson-Walsh, who won a bronze medal at London 2012, said: “They [Team GB] have done a fantastic job kitting the place out. It does make a huge difference when you have somewhere you can relax. It’s fantastic and the village looks amazing.”

Team GB competitors also have access to up to 17 physios and 13 doctors in a health centre in the basement of the multi-storey block throughout the competition and a sparring area for martial arts athletes.

The complex is a cluster of towers housing each competing nation with a communal dining hall, a large fitness centre and food venues. A walkway and cycle lane run through the centre of the complex. The Standard was shown around one apartment with British slalom canoeists David Florence, Richard Hounslow, Fiona Pennie and Joseph Clarke. Mixed dorms house rooms with single beds, a small kitchen and bathroom and have balconies leading out from the living room.

Not everyone has been happy with the state of the village. Australian and US athletes were reportedly forced to move into hotels after plumbing issues and others have said that fittings and fixings have not been completed.

But Florence, a double silver medallist, said: “We were some of the first athletes to get here on July 25, it’s been really smooth for us and we haven’t had any problems. It’s pretty impressive. You definitely have to feel like you’re at home and relaxed. Team GB have just been great, they’ve done their due diligence and asked to be in one of these buildings which was finished earlier so they could start preparing for our arrival.”

Clarke said: “It’s a nice atmosphere and everything is running here smoothly. We’re really happy with the whole set-up.”

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