ATHLETES SETTLE IN AND GET THE PARTY STARTED
IT looks more like a luxury resort holiday rather than one of the most competitive sporting events in the world.
Athletes are certainly making the most of the village facilities and Gold Coast life ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with competitors taking to Instagram to post pictures relaxing on inflatable swans in the pool, lounging in hammocks and playing dress ups.
While the thousands of medal hopefuls are no doubt engaging in intense training sessions as they prepare to compete on the world stage, it seems they also have plenty of time for play while they’re on the glitter strip too.
British diver Tom Daley, boasting nearly two million followers around the world, posted a shirtless happy snap from Broadbeach beach with a lifeguard board over the long weekend, and also uploaded a video tour of the athletes village.
Aussie swimming legend Cameron McEvoy was snapped lounging in a hammock by the pool, while fellow swimming favourite Emily Seebohm took a selfie at the village while celebrating her friend’s birthday.
The athletes village, which has a gym, pools, smoothie bar, hair salon and games room, among other amenities and features including 100,000 condoms, will be home to 6600 athletes for two weeks.
Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett didn’t let her intense training schedule affect Easter celebrations, uploading a video jumping in her netball gear with a bunny mask on and chocolate in hand.
But one of the quirkiest athletes peppering Instagram with photos is Katura HortonPerin chief.
The popular Bermuda diver has been frolicking in the athletes pool on a giant inflatable pink swan, keeping her fans back home in the loop with her day-to-day activities on the GC.
She might be relatively unknown here but Katura, who calls herself “lildivinmama” and “Miss Bermuda” on Instagram, became the first black woman – from any nation – to compete in Olympic diving with her appearance at the 2004 Olympics in Athens