If there were a competition for tent decoration, Norway, Australia, and Sweden would definitely win medals. A canvas of identity and a sense of belonging are prominently displayed in the warm-up area of the Videna Athletic Stadium. It’s the B-side of the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24. The warm-up area has 53 tents to be used during the training sessions. They became the mini-headquarters of the teams, especially busy at peak-hours.
Among them, the tents for Norway and Sweden are particularly eye-catching. The Norwegian and Swedish flags, displayed prominently at the front, are adorned with colourful cut-outs of their respective letters, decorated with hearts and stars, making them the focal points of the area.
Immediately next to the Sweden-Norway, you can see Finland’s tent with a handwritten top 5 in Finnish. Number one reads “better than Sweden,” a playful declaration accompanied by four other words: sisukas (brave), kannustava (supportive), pysäyttämätön (unstoppable), and yhtenäinen (unified), along with the signatures of their authors. “We are neighbouring countries, and we want to be better than them,” said Aatu Kangasniemi, European U18 shot put champion.
DREAM FACTORY
Australia, on the other hand, has created a uniquely inviting space with pennants, adhesive tape, a food stand, and even a bathtub. Their tent has become a cozy haven for moments of concentration and preparation before competition, effectively transforming it into their dream factory.
Similarly, other countries have found creative ways to personalise their spaces. Kenya has written its name in large letters five times, the Czech Republic has covered its tent with stickers forming its country abbreviation, and Japan has displayed a small print of its flag.
In their own distinctive ways, the 134 nations at the World Championships have turned their simple tents into the final staging area where they prepare to pursue their dreams.
Credit: AIPS Media
