Great championships are all about great competitions. And to prevail in championships, athletes have to realise their full potential at a given point in time. The Zürich 2014 team and its partners are determined to provide ideal conditions so that competitors can do just that in Zurich this summer. Hotels, for instance, will try to be a home away from home for as many as 50 teams.

The LOC of the European Athletics Championships Zürich 2014 works hard to create a pleasant and convenient environment for all participants of the event. Only the best will be good enough for Europe’s best athletes. When trying to find accommodation for championships, there are some very specific criteria to be considered: First, all athletes must be able to enjoy equal standards. In addition, the journey to and from the competition venues should be the same for everyone. And finally, members of the same team should stay at the same hotel, in double rooms equipped with single beds.  There are not enough hotels in the city centre of Zurich to accommodate 1400 athletes and 800 physiotherapists, coaches, etc. according to these criteria.

Therefore, the LOC selected hotels located in the Zurich area and close to the airport. Twelve hotels will be “Official Team Hotels”. They fulfil all requirements, and also provide their services at predefined, standardised rates.  “We are very happy to have found twelve committed partners,” said Zürich 2014’s Nathalie Ferbàr.

Fresh meals, 20 hours a day

Catering will be a major project for all team hotels. Athletes must be offered the same choice of meals, and they should be able to benefit from the same operating hours of restaurants at their hotels. Healthy and athlete-friendly food should be waiting for them, whenever they decide to start their day and whenever they return to the hotel in the evening. The Official Team Hotels have established a common Zürich 2014 championship menu. There will be coffee, tea, dairy and soy products, wholemeal and white bread, cereals, and fruit in the morning.

   
    Zürich 2014 Team Hotels: Top Service for Europe’s Top Athletes

Lunch and dinner buffets will include fish, white meat, carbohydrates, raw fruit and vegetables, and healthy fats. „Providing athletes with meals whenever they need them will be a logistical challenge for the team hotels,“ explained Nathalie Ferbàr.
A jigsaw puzzle

Before deciding which team will stay at which hotel, the Zürich 2014 promoters need to know, how many members each team will include. All national federations will provide their estimates as to the size of their teams by 17 March. Their indications will help allocate guests to the various partner hotels. But the procedure is complex: 2278 beds will have to be allocated to as many as 50 teams.  The largest team may arrive with up to 160 members while the smallest ones may include but one or two persons.

The largest contingent of beds amounts to 294, the smallest to 104. All in all, the promoters have made reservations for 18224 overnight stays to accommodate athletes, physiotherapists, and coaches. However, to allocate rooms for entire teams without splitting them into smaller groups, and to find just the right number of rooms for men and women will be a true brain-twister.  „We will feel like putting together a huge jigsaw puzzle. And we already know that we may not find the last piece to it until 4 August, when we know the final numbers for each team,” Nathalie Ferbàr said.

House of Switzerland – Coming to Zurich soon!

The House of Switzerland made its hugely successful debut at the Olympic Games in Sochi this winter. The house warming party lasted 17 days, and included more than 100`000 guests, numerous medal celebrations, and many unforgettable moments.  Now, the House of Switzerland is back in its home country, getting ready the next adventure: Zürich 2014! On 9 August, the famous House will open its doors to visitors of the City Festival on Sechseläutenplatz.

Three German world championship finalists take a close look at Letzigrund Stadium

For many German athletes, Zürich 2014 will feel almost like home, as the championships will happen right on their doorstep.  Top athletes from the southern part of Germany made good use of living close to the venue, and trained at Letzigrund Stadium last Saturday. The group, which included three world indoor championship finalists (former European champion in the 100m Verena Sailer, Marie Jungfleisch, and Gregor Traber), visibly enjoyed getting a first taste of the highlight of the 2014 outdoor season.

Cooly`s flirt with Toyota hostesses

New cars, beautiful women, celebrities, and – Cooly! The iconic championship mascot paid a visit to Zürich 2014 partner Toyota at the 84th International Motor Show in Geneva. Visitors reported seeing Cooly doing the Cooly dance with Toyota hostesses. Click here to view images of our cool cow’s trip to Geneva

Source: European Athletics Championships Zürich 2014