The athletes’ village for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics opened its doors on Thursday, welcoming its first residents.
Situated to the north of Paris, the village will accommodate nearly 14,500 individuals at its peak, including 9,000 athletes.
The initial arrivals, eight days ahead of the opening ceremony, were team members from Australia and Brazil.
“We are ready,” stated Augustin Tran Van Chau, the deputy head of the village, in an interview with French media.
Proud organizers highlight the village’s design, which negates the need for air-conditioning by ensuring indoor temperatures remain at least 6 degrees Celsius, 42 Fahrenheit, cooler than the summer outdoor heat.
Nonetheless, some delegations have opted to install their own air-conditioning units.
The village showcases numerous innovations aimed at making it a benchmark for low-carbon construction.
Once the Olympians and Paralympians have departed between July 26 and September 8, the apartments will be transformed into homes, with at least a third allocated for public housing.
