While you activate the TV later this month, you’ll see the Olympics in all its glory—athletes flipping within the air, kicking by the water, and sprinting across the monitor, amongst different eye-popping feats. And the Paralympics, starting August 28, will solely proceed with the momentum.

However what occurs behind the scenes, within the storied Olympic and Paralympic Village, when the cameras are off? Athletes eat, sleep in cardboard beds, play Mario Kart, practice and get well, and join with associates and idols alike as all of them put together for—and rejoice or mourn after—one of many greatest occasions of their lives. Right here’s extra about precisely what they expertise, from a dozen athletes who comprehend it finest.

The vibe is mostly upbeat and fairly intense.

“It’s electrical, it’s world—it’s a group that’s vibrant. Everybody’s so excited and comfortable to be there—it’s like, ‘We made it to the Olympics. That is our dream.’ There are athletes from everywhere in the world, from completely different walks of life. It’s so cool.”—Helen Maroulis, wrestler who received bronze in Rio in 2016 and gold in Tokyo in 2020

“It’s crowded! It’s form of ironic since you consider the Olympics as this elite sporting occasion the place such a small proportion of individuals ever get to go, however then you definately’re within the Olympic Village with hundreds of individuals. On the identical time, it’s tremendous enjoyable and you are feeling how particular it’s.”—April Ross, seashore volleyball participant who received silver in London in 2012, bronze in Rio in 2016, and gold in Tokyo in 2020

“You expertise the Olympic and Paralympic spirit to the fullest extent within the Village. Everyone there’s an elite athlete and so they’re so proud to be there representing their nation. There’s a buzz round competitors and wanting to fulfill different individuals.”—Nicky Nieves, sitting volleyball participant who received gold in Rio in 2016

“It’s chaotic. Usually, the marathons are in the direction of the tip of this system. So you’ve gotten this actual pageant vibe, after which you’ve gotten a really severe, I’m targeted on the largest occasion of my profession vibe, and it’s loads to stability. However it’s enjoyable. You additionally recognize all of the completely different physique kinds of sports activities with high-end, elite athletes all being in the identical place. You understand athleticism doesn’t have one look. It’s so broad.”—Des Linden, marathoner who competed in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016

“I had this sense once I walked in like I used to be within the superhero village. The quickest individuals, the strongest individuals—all people was residing there. They’re the real-life superheroes when it comes to power and bodily capabilities.” —Marta Pen Frietas, middle-distance runner who competed for Portugal in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020

However the temper isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

“One thing individuals don’t discuss a lot is how heavy it’s after competitors within the Village. You labored so arduous for a second of your life—it’s 10 seconds if you happen to run the 100 meters, 4 minutes if you happen to do the 1500 meters. Then you definately’re like, this simply occurred, this second is gone. And typically individuals are simply heavy, as a result of issues didn’t work out the way in which they wished. Not all people wins on the Olympic Video games. So you’ve gotten very excessive get together power, or typically very low power. Center power may be very uncommon.” —Pen Frietas

The eating corridor comes with any dish you might need—and a LOT of site visitors.

“The eating corridor is out of this world. In Tokyo, it was two flooring; in Rio, it was the scale of a soccer area. There’s each sort of meals you might think about. It’s attention-grabbing people-watching too. I bear in mind distinctly that the Chinese language gymnasts in Rio had trays and trays piled excessive with solely pineapple. Then you definately see big weightlifters carrying 5 large trays of meals. It’s fascinating.”—Kat Holmes, fencer who competed in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020