Olympic beds may shortchange tall athletes

LONDON - The opening of the Olympic athlete's village is bound to leave Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps feeling a bit shortchanged.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, tests out a bed during his visit to the 2012 Olympic Park and Olympic Village in London, July 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Each sparsely decorated room has a pair of single beds next to bedside tables and small lamps. But the beds are only 1.73 meters (5 feet, 8 inches) long, meaning that many of the competing athletes will need extensions to get a good night's sleep.

Bolt is 1.95 meters (6-5) tall and Phelps is 1.93 (6-4).

With two weeks to go before the London Olympics open on July 27, London Mayor Boris Johnson went on a final inspection tour of the area on Thursday.

About 17,000 athletes and officials are expected to live at the village, which is located inside the Olympic Park and close to main stadium and swimming venue.

"We are close to the finishing line in our preparations," Johnson said.

Besides apartments, the village also has restaurants, leisure areas and gyms.

After the Olympics, the apartments will be transformed into 2,818 new homes.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, holds a packet of Olympic branded condoms during his visit to the Olympic Village at the 2012 Olympic Park in London, July 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]