Matildas ‘luck out’ as Australian Olympians find some home comforts 450km away from Rio

AUSTRALIAN Olympians have finally moved into their Games digs, and there’s not a leaky shower or exposed wire in sight — mind you, they are 450kms from Rio.

The Matildas get to work on the training pitch in Brazil.

THE first Australian Olympic team members have moved into their Games accommodation, and there’s not a mop, leaky shower or exposed electrical wire in sight — although they are 450kms from Rio.

The Matildas women’s football is based in Sao Paulo, the so-called ‘New York of South America’.

They checked into the four-star Bourbon Convention Ipirapuera Hotel on Monday night and according to striker Kyah Simon, found nothing to complain about.

Hotel living for the Matildas.

“I think we’ve lucked out,” she said.

“I’ve been reading some of the articles about the issues with the athletes’ village in Rio but everything here is great. We’ve got good conditions, nice environment; the rooms are normal hotel standard with clean bedding. Two beds, a desk, bathroom … a bit bigger than the photos I’ve seen of the village, so we’re happy.”

The team even brought its own chef to ensure all meals correctly prepared.

“It’s all exactly how you’d expect,” Simon, 25, said.

The Matildas get to work on the trainign pitch in Brazil.

“Although to be honest, we’re not hard to please. We’re here to work and as long as we can prepare well, play well and recover well, we’re satisfied.”

The Matildas’ are using the facilities of first division club Corinthians FC, and held their first training session on Tuesday morning.

Ranked fourth in Olympic competition behind USA, Japan and Germany (World Cup finalist England does not compete as an individual nation) the Australians are considered a good chance of winning a medal.

“Obviously that’s the aim, but it’s what every team wants,” Simon said.

“It will definitely be a challenge. We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us at training, but we’re up for it.”

And at least they’ll get a good night’s sleep between sessions.

Originally published as Matildas ‘luck out’ as Australian Olympians find some home comforts 450km away from Rio