As the London 2012 Games progress, the Olympic athletes' village on the north-east edge of the Olympic Park has shifted from a tense training ground to a lively party zone. House music drifts across the plaza, and athletes like Britain's bronze medal-winning gymnasts Louis Smith and Kristian Thomas, dressed in skinny jeans and fashionable T-shirts, embody the relaxed atmosphere.
"Everyone is going out with everyone and having a good time," said Leith Shankland, a 21-year-old South African swimmer. "We've been travelling since the end of May and we haven't been allowed to go out for two months, so it's a great release." Shankland noted that some American and South African athletes have already explored east London bars to celebrate their achievements.
The village has a reputation for transformation into a bacchanalian party zone as the Games wear on, with a second Olympic motto: "What happens in the village stays in the village." World record swimmer Ryan Lochte estimated that 70% to 75% of Olympians engage in sexual activity during the Games. "Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do," he said.
While formal party facilities are limited—the Globe bar is dry—athletes improvise with pool, computer games, and loud music. The nearby Westfield shopping centre and London's nightlife also attract many. "When it's over you eat the cake and lie back," said Avard Moncur of the Bahamas 4x400m relay team, describing the bonding experience.
Not all athletes focus on parties. Alia Atkinson, Jamaica's only swimmer, visited the village beauty salon to have her nails painted in her national colours. "I'm all giddy now it's over. You get to spend more time with your team mates," she said.
