As the Paris Olympics approach, the U.S. men's basketball team has made the familiar decision to forgo staying in the Olympic Village, opting instead for private accommodations.
This practice, which dates back to the 1992 Dream Team, highlights a unique aspect of the team's Olympic experience, shaped by both comfort and security concerns. The Dream Team, featuring NBA legends Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, was the first group of professional players to represent the United States in Olympic basketball. Used to luxury accommodations, they chose a hotel in Barcelona over the communal living arrangements of the Olympic Village.
The move was partly influenced by the immense global fame of the players, which raised significant security concerns. Since then, subsequent U.S.
basketball teams have followed this precedent. The decision to stay outside the village is often attributed to a combination of factors, including the desire for privacy and the logistical challenges of accommodating high-profile athletes. The 2024 Olympic Village in Paris will accommodate nearly 15,000 athletes.
After this summer, it will become a neighborhood with: • 2,500 new homes • Office space for 6,000 workers • Two schools, a hotel, green space https://t.co/elZ5286trO pic.twitter.
com/qle9e1IegU Current U.S. team member Kevin Durant, participating in his fourth Olympics, acknowledged the tradition in a recent interview.
"I don't think we had a choice," Durant said, referring to the team's accommodation arrangements, via USA Today's Jeff Zillgett . "I haven't gotten into any (cardboard) beds since I've been doing this whole thing." While some athletes prefer the seclusion of private accommodations, others value the camaraderie and shared experience of the Olympic Village.
Durant noted that, despite staying outside the village, the team still engages with other athletes and experiences village life, particularly during events like the opening ceremony. The U.S.
men's and women's basketball teams are among the few athletes who regularly stay outside the Olympic Village. Tennis stars such as Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and the Williams sisters have also chosen private accommodations in past Olympics. USA Track and Field has not confirmed whether its high-profile athletes, like Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson, will stay in the village for the Paris Games, citing security considerations.
As the Paris Olympics draw near, the U.S. basketball team's accommodation choice continues a long-standing tradition.
While it may seem unconventional to some, for these elite athletes, it strikes a balance between security, comfort, and the spirit of the games..
