The corona virus also poses major challenges for the Winter Olympics in Beijing. German athletes report on helpers in white protective suits, shuttle buses to the hotel and fast food in the Olympic village.
They are friendly, “the white people,” says Franziska Preuss. “I think they’re really trying. Everything has worked really well so far,” the biathlete praises the many helpers in their white protective suits who are scurrying around the athletes at the Winter Games in China. “You don’t actually see a real person, only plastic and FFP2 masks,” says Preuss. Behind it you can see a smile here and there. The majority of those involved make a good face to the difficult games.
Winter games in the security wing
In view of the strict corona and hygiene regulations, the life of the top athletes in the three Olympic villages in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou is one in the security wing. The athletes are not happy about the strict set of rules, but accept them largely without complaint. There was even a lot of praise for the organization and implementation of the measures. It is not always clear whether out of complete conviction or to a certain extent also for self-protection, and in the end it probably also varies. But one thing is certain: the stars are focusing on what they can really influence, their competition. After all, for many of them it is the most important of their careers.
Some of them live in single rooms, some in small shared apartments. The ski racers Romed Baumann and Andreas Sander share accommodation, as does biathlete Preuss and her teammate Vanessa Voigt. The rooms are usually large and comfortable. “The bed is height-adjustable, which is cool,” says snowboarder Annika Morgan. Leisure activities include table tennis, air hockey and table football.
Shuttle buses to the Olympic Village
At least the alpine aces only have to cover short distances in the gigantic ski area on Xiaohaituo Mountain in Yanqing. From the slopes you can take the gondola back to the village or even slide almost to the door on your skis. However, the vast majority of Olympic participants are chauffeured back and forth in shuttle buses. Everything is precisely timed, but communication with the staff at the bus stops is a hurdle because of their limited knowledge of English. “When there are questions, it’s often difficult,” says snowboarder Leon Gütl. “When something unexpected happens, there is a little chaos.” He can still laugh about it.
The ice hockey players still have to get used to the ice conditions. Captain Moritz Müller complained about the quality of the ice in the training hall after the first training session. “The ice conditions today weren’t good. It was very wet. The discs only cracked to the left and right,” said the 35-year-old Kölner Haie defender. “These are the conditions that everyone has to deal with. But I’m just saying how it is.”
The catering sometimes takes some getting used to, but the selection is plentiful. “When they offer a palette full of squid,” snowboarder Morgan’s heart doesn’t exactly open over breakfast. She prefers roast pork even in the morning hours. But there are also plenty of other alternatives. In addition to the usual dining areas, there are also fast food outlets where you can dine. And that almost around the clock. “Since we have the races in the evening, you have to adjust your daily rhythm a bit, so that’s pleasant,” says tobogganist Felix Loch.
Fear of infection accompanies athletes every day
Of course, the fear of a corona infection accompanies the athletes at every turn. She is happy every day if she doesn’t get a call, says German flag-bearer Claudia Pechstein, referring to the daily tests. Remaining negative with them, but otherwise positive – that is the great balancing act that the participants of these games have to manage. And of course, according to speed skater Pechstein, who is taking part in the Olympics for the eighth time, they are “more special than the others”. After all, the processes don’t cost the Olympians too much time. “The only thing that sometimes stops is the doping control,” says skier Sander. And for once it has nothing to do with Corona.
Pechstein finds it difficult to say whether the Chinese she meets are really happy that the games are taking place and under these circumstances. “Or they were told, I don’t know, it can also be the case, but I think they mean it seriously when they say something like that,” said the 49-year-old. It is clear that they “do a damn great job”. As hard as it is.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
