Exclusive Access: Inside Team GB's Milan Winter Olympics Village Base
The Guardian has been granted rare entry to the British team's operational headquarters within the Olympic Village in Milan, offering a unique glimpse into the preparations for the Winter Games. With the first events commencing shortly, the focus is firmly on creating an optimal environment for peak performance.
A Home Away From Home: Comforts and Provisions
Team GB's deputy de mission, Anne Sargent, emphasised the organisation's commitment to replicating domestic comforts. "When we take over our spaces in the village, it's just a completely empty room," she explained. "So we work hard to ship out a lot of entertainment, snacks, the TV and games to make it a real home from home."
The base, currently housing 10 of the 55 British athletes including prominent figure skaters Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear, has been transformed. Despite the typically cramped village accommodations—rooms barely large enough for two single beds—the team has installed:
- A large television continuously streaming BBC One
- Classic games like jigsaw puzzles and Connect 4
- Comfortable sofas and stationary exercise bikes
- A dedicated medical suite for doctors and physiotherapists
Fuel for Performance: From Porridge to Popcorn
Nutrition and hydration are paramount. The team has stocked substantial supplies to ensure athletes are well-fuelled:
- 130 kilograms of Quaker porridge oats
- 5,050 Aldi teabags
- Abundant popcorn, coffee, and fruit pastilles
Following complaints about meat shortages at the Paris Games, Sargent reported no such issues in Milan. "The food's been brilliant," she confirmed. "There's everything we'd want in the dining hall: porridge at breakfast and loads of meat at dinner." Additional amenities include free drinks machines stocked with Coca-Cola and Innocent smoothies.
Training and Recreation: F1 Simulators and More
Beyond relaxation, the base supports physical and mental preparation. A highlight is a Formula One simulator, offering athletes a unique form of cross-training and distraction. The village complex also provides:
- A large gym facility
- Table football and air hockey tables
- A piano for musical interludes
However, not all comforts are perfectly met. British skater Ellia Smeding noted a desire for higher-quality coffee, stating, "I think we're going to scope out some good coffee shops. I'm much more into filter coffee, a good pourover fruity flavours, light ... I do enjoy good cappuccino, but good pourovers are my thing."
Health and Hygiene: Protecting the Team
Prominent signage throughout the base underscores the importance of health protocols. Messages advise athletes to:
- Close the toilet lid before flushing
- Cough and sneeze into their elbows
- Clean hands regularly
One sign starkly warns, "Take Hygiene Seriously! Germs are everywhere, don't let them compete," while another encourages, "Be Safe. Be Smart. Protect the Team." This represents a significant shift from the stringent daily Covid testing and isolation requirements of the Beijing Winter Games.
Competition Begins: Curling Campaigns Launch
The first British athletes commence their Olympic journeys on Wednesday with the mixed curling tournament. The duo of Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds, considered second favourites behind Canada, open their campaign with a group match against Norway. As the Games progress, this meticulously prepared base will serve as a crucial sanctuary for Team GB's hopefuls.
