FIrst Shift in the Athletes' Village

On a cool morning before becoming sunny and warm, at 05.00, a taxi arranged by Paris 2024 took me for the 15 minute ride to the Athletes' Village for my first shift as a Doping Control Chaperone. It would not have been possible to get to the Village by Metro at that time, the bus routes had been affected by road closures around the Village, and I wasn't sure of the walking route, especially in the dark.
I eventually found some athletes in their bedrooms to take to the Doping Control Centre.
There was an enormous dining hall for the athletes with sections dedicated to different cuisines, e.g. International, Halal, etc. The hall had been part of the former studio of Luc Bresson. The dining hall for the staff and volunteers was in the same building, and the hot food plus salads, fresh fruit and yogurts was adequate.
The Village was next to the Seine. Part of it was on an island over a bridge and had been used during the Olympics but it was not being used for the Paralympics because there were fewer athletes. The Village was part of a regeneration project for the districts of Oeun and Pleyel which had been industrial.
The walk back to the hotel took 40 minutes so I now knew the route in case I needed to take it although I never did.
A hotel receptionst advised me not to go to the neighbouring district of Aubervilliers, presumably to avoid crime.Read more