This 'e-tour' now progresses from the Equestrian Media
Centre and administration area around a tiled boardwalk and along side
the competitor entrance to the showjumping stadium. This public area is quite
elevated and the stadiums stay to the right of the main walkway.
The centre has been cleverly designed around the naturally sloping
land and has enabled an inoffensive separation of the public
areas and the 'off limits' competitor zones. This has made a feature of
the centre's sensational stable complex without compromising
security and safety aspects.
To the left of the main walkway which connects the
competition stadiums is a very scenic vista which takes in the whole
stabling area and training facilities. The public entrance to the
indoor school is on the same level as the competition stadiums.
This entrance is on the left hand side of the walk way ... with
the competition stadiums on the right.
The indoor school is a magnificent, light and airy
structure with an unusual external roof line that forms the shape of a
wave. However, I never saw a horse inside. most riders seemed to
prefer the outdoor training areas overlooking the characteristic
Mediterranean homes and the 'top of the world feel' that this elevation
provided.
 |
 |
|
The magnificent indoor arena at the
Markopolou Olympic Equestrian Centre.
The left hand side of the picture is on the stable side ... and
the right side of the picture is facing the competition stadiums
and public access. |
The stable and training
areas are surrounded with security fencing with
armed guards on the access gates. All personnel permitted into the
stables
wore 'hospital arm bands' to identify their right to move about in this
area freely.
Rusty and Ulla have some fun out there, Heike Kemmer lends a hand
the day before Ulla and Rusty's Gold Medal challenge. At this point in
the competition, Ulla is 00.52% ahead of Anky, what pressure!
Looking down from the main walkway on to the stable area
and outdoor dressage training rings. On the left hand side of the top
picture is a road way (at the end of the dressage rings)
On the other side of this roadway is the grass jumping training area
below.
This is the back of the
groom's quarters at the complex.
The undercover farrier's
facilities which enabled the breeze to move through.
It
was a great comfort to people and horses.
Several bays of misting
fans were strategically placed around the
centre. Like many of the Media contingent, I was curious about the
effectiveness of these. We hopped in and can report that it was
bliss ... and
reduced the body temperature very quickly. Great for a very hot
dry climate.
There was a similar bay of fans set up at the completion of the Cross
Country track. There were no reports of serious heat stress.
Some horses (understandably) did not favour the conditions.
A 'state of the art'
veterinary clinic was built for the Olympic Games and
equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment to enable quick
and accurate assessments and appropriate treatments to be performed
without having to take horses away from Markopoulo.
|
Page
1 |
A General Overview
of the Equestrian Area |
|
Page 2 |
Presentations with a Traditional Greek
touch. |
|
Page 3 |
Indoor Arena, training and other facilities |
|
Page 4 |
Some of the Aussies helpers & Riders |
|
Page 5 |
Views to the Stables |
|
Page 6
|
Stables, facilities & some training pics. |
|
