© Stade de France ®
Macary, Zublena et Regembal
Costantini - Architectes
ADAGP - Paris - 2002
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ATHLETES' VILLAGE  |
 ICE BATHS TO RECUPERATE
Paris 2003 Saint-Denis
Ice baths are a tried and trusted method for recuperating quickly after a tough training session. In the Village, the Athletes are using huge rubbish bins as baths!
If you walk past the Franco–British pavilion you are sure to notice athletes up to their waists in large green bins. And in case you’re wondering, no those Americans are not mad! Dousing yourself in icy water is a simple way of recuperating quickly after an exertion and improving your performance next time out ! Your legs don’t feel as heavy and you are lighter on your feet.
This common practice across the Atlantic is performed differently by each athlete; the duration (between 7 and 15 minutes) and quantity of ice varies depending on the size and the physiology of the person. Benny Vaughn, one of the American physios explains that this treatment is an essential part of an athlete’s preparations between stretching and massage. “It’s tough for the first two minutes,” say Jennifer Culp and Daniel Lincoln, two US athletes, but you get used to it!”
But it is important to have the right equipment. “The organisers went out of their way to get us what we wanted,” says Vaugnh “We were lucky to have our ‘American secret’ – someone who helped us a lot and who is the envy of all the other delegations !” These containers are perfect, they are even big enough to hold Kevin Toth !” (ed. the well-built US shot putter). The ice, which is stored in two refrigerators and special tanks, is delivered every morning at 8:00am and again at 2:00pm if necessary.
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