No "frangers," no "frozen" at somber athletes' camp

By Catherine Bremer

BEIJING (Reuters) - Famed for being a hotbed of hormones where brawny boxers can barely wait until the post Games party to hook up with leggy blonde pole vaulters, the Olympic Village may disappoint on the party front this year.

Boxes of free condoms had to be handed out at the 2004 Athens Olympics after contraception ran out at the previous Games in Sydney, where sparks first flew between Roger Federer and his longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec.

In Beijing, not only are the condom gift-bags lacking, but the soulless hangar-like disco room -- complete with grey walls, grey carpet, sub-zero air conditioning and live Chinese folk music -- may well nip any sizzling romance in the bud.

"I suggest they won't find what they need in here, like crazy fun and the happy hour," admitted a member of a shaggy haired Chinese rock band, also performing at the venue, as he sipped a fizzy drink in the near-empty bar where booze is banned and the 90s pop disco ends at midnight.

"There's no alcohol here because it's forbidden in the Village. It's not the best nightlife of Beijing," the rocker said, declining to give his name.

The beautifully manicured Olympic Village, which is lodging some 10,000 athletes and their trainers in brand new apartments, is getting top marks for organization, facilities and food, but not for encouraging mingling.

"I haven't seen any bags of frangers," said world champion rower Amber Halliday, using a slang word for condoms from her native Australia. "But the Australian Olympic Committee has a big bowl out on the table and you can help yourself."

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