Many of the world's top-level sportsmen are used to a life of luxury.
Think of the level of hospitality granted to international football stars and golfers.
But what about elite athletes about to participate in what is arguably in the top three sporting events on the planet?
That is of course the Tokyo Olympic Games, which is set to begin on July 23 – and the world has been given an insight into how life will be within the village that will be called home by 11,000 participants.
Given the sheer scale of the event and the numbers involved, this isn't one big five-star hotel, but instead has sustainability and legacy at its core. The beds, for example, are made from recyclable cardboard.
There's a shopping area made from 40,000 pieces of timber donated by 63 Japanese municipal governments. Each donated piece is marked with the name of the area that provided the wood, Reuters reported.
After the Olympics, it will be dismantled and the timber returned to the donating cities for reuse in local facilities.
The apartments may look more like university halls of residence than sporting excellence, but will be converted into flats once the event is complete.
Everyday necessities such as dry cleaning, a post office, bank and courier counter are all available within the village, while athletes must dine alone to avoid the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
Athletes will be tested for Covid-19 daily and required to wear masks except during competition, eating and sleeping.
Coronavirus infections
Japan has been battling a fourth wave of coronavirus infections, but has seen a smaller outbreak than many countries. However, only about 6 per cent of people in the country are fully vaccinated and medical experts have expressed concern about holding the games.
Organisers are to decide this week whether to allow domestic spectators into the stadiums, with foreign spectators already banned.
One of Uganda's Olympic squad tested positive on arrival in Japan on Saturday, the first time an infection has been confirmed in an overseas team, local media reported.
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- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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England squad for the first Test Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root (captain), Malan, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen, Roland-Jones, Broad, Anderson, Woakes, Crane
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2nd Test Aug 25-29, Headingley
3rd Test Sep 7-11, Lord's
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
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- Price: Not announced yet
'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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Titan Sports Academy:
Programmes: Judo, wrestling, kick-boxing, muay thai, taekwondo and various summer camps
Location: Inside Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: 971 50 220 0326
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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United States |
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China |
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UAE |
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4. |
Japan |
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5 |
Norway |
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Canada |
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Singapore |
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Australia |
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Saudi Arabia |
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South Korea |
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The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Sector: Technology
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Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
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Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
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Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
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Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
