Millionaires snub Beijing Olympic village life

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — Even the prospect of staying in million-dollar apartments isn't enough to tempt the likes of Roger Federer and the superstars of the NBA to bed down at the Olympic Village.

The purpose-built, tightly-guarded complex will be home to 16,000 athletes for the duration of the Games with some reports suggesting each apartment will be worth around the million dollar mark when they are sold off after the August 8-24 event.

But 12-time Grand Slam champion Federer prefers to make his own arrangements and his decision has been backed by the Swiss delegation.

"It was quite difficult in Athens," said Federer of his experience of the 2004 Games.

"Taking the bus and not being in control of my own schedule, and many people recognising me in the...