Australian Team Chef De Mission says the atmosphere at Pacific Games is friendly and inviting

PACIFIC GAMES: With three days until the 2015 Pacific Games kick off in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, the athletes' village is buzzing.

Australian Team Chef de Mission Malcolm Page says the atmosphere is friendly and inviting.

“The special thing about the Pacific Games is being able to mix with all islander cultures,” he said.

“The other Teams are great and the volunteers are keen to help and make the Games a fantastic event.”

The first Australian athletes to arrive in the village will be 15 weightlifters on Thursday and Page says the organising committee has provided great accommodation for the athletes.

The village will be used by Port Moresby university students after the Games.

"The accommodation generally is pretty good, equal to Olympic Games quality which is important," Page said.

"The common area in between each block of rooms will be great space for the athletes to hang out. We have a private Australian area with fun activities for the Team which will join up with Norfolk Island and Samoa.

“There’s a common area in the middle of the village for all the Teams to hang out in, with music often played during the day.”

The village dining hall will serve three meals a day for all athletes and support staff with the food provided by an Australian company.

"The food quality is great, it’s a key energy source for the athletes so it’s important it’s right,” Page said.

“The dining hall is an open space with the sides covered with mesh which means the air can flow through the area making it cool and comfortable.”

With Australia competing in four sports, the key venues will be the Royal Pom Yacht Club for sailing, the Sir John Guise Outdoor Stadium for rugby sevens and the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium for weightlifting and taekwondo.

“The Australian sailors will love the sailing venue, the water is beautiful and very tropical. Plus the bay is very open and there’ll be good racing conditions.” Page said.

“The Sir John Guise complex will be great for Papua New Guinea because it will provide a 21st century venue for many sports.

“Plus with rugby sevens being so popular here, the outdoor stadium will be well used."

The Games kick off on Saturday with the Opening Ceremony at the Sir John Guise Outdoor Stadium.

Credits:

Annie Kearney 

olympics.com.au