"Even when Winter Olympians aren't competing-even when it's summer-they're never truly off duty. Being an Olympic-level athlete isn't just a job; it's an identity. So when it comes to putting down roots, they consider things that many of us non-elite-athletes (no judgement!) don't have to: climate, geography, and proximity to training facilities. And because many of them are so young (the average age of athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was 27)"
"Laila Edwards, 22, and Caroline Harvey, 23, eat, sleep, and breathe hockey. When they're not at the ice rink, which is walking-distance from their two-bedroom apartment, they're watching a game at home on the couch, positioned just below the bright red Wisconsin Badgers jerseys hanging on the wall. Upon their return to the University of Wisconsin each school year, they display their uniform from the year prior (Edwards, who plays both defense and forward, is No. 10; Harvey, on defense, is No. 4)."
Many Winter Olympians treat home as an extension of training, combining locker-room functions, recovery, and daily life. Location choices prioritize climate, geography, and proximity to training facilities. Youth and intense training commitments lead many athletes to modest living situations: shared apartments, teammate roommates, practicing in unconventional spaces, or living with family or coaches. Daily routines revolve around practice, classes, recovery, and equipment storage. Visual reminders like displayed uniforms and team memorabilia reinforce athletic identity while homes provide social support, convenience, and practical access to nearby training resources.
Read at Architectural Digest
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