Frequently Asked Questions

Competing and being part of the Games

Where do the athletes live during the Olympic Games?

During the two weeks of the Games, the athletes live in the Olympic Village. This is a residential complex, generally located close to the Olympic stadium, where the world’s athletes in all the Olympic sports live together.

The Olympic Village is safe and comfortable. During the Games, it provides for all the athletes’ needs and protects them from disturbance by the outside world. The Village includes the athletes’ accommodation, together with an international zone which includes shops, various services and leisure facilities.

Once the Games are over, the Olympic Village is usually turned into a new residential zone for the host city, with the accommodation being sold or rented to the local population.

However, the athletes have not always had their own Village. The first appearance of an Olympic Village dates back to Paris 1924 followed by Los Angeles in 1932.

Learn more:

Education series: The Modern Olympic Games (pp. 14-15)

Olympic Summer Games Villages from Paris 1924 to Rio 2016

Olympic Winter Games Villages from Oslo 1952 to PyeongChang 2018