If there ’s a heaven , it would be like the Olympic dining hall .

In 2018, I competed in the Winter Olympics. From a 24-hour all-you-can-eat dining hall, to hanging out with all your old and new friends, to chocolate medals, and thousands of condoms, here are some of the experiences from life at the Olympics and inside the Olympic Village.

1.We get free clothes and luggage, all in one country’s color scheme.

2.We get to know 15 people pretty well.

3.If there’s a heaven, it would be like the Olympic dining hall.

4.Apart from medals, pins are the most valuable currency at the Olympic Village.

5.The tent/waiting area before the Opening Ceremonies is a cool hang-out place.

6.We’re given a cool bed with stuffedanimals.

7.Condoms are more plentiful than medals.

8.Everyone receives a free phone.

9.Countries share coaches.

10.There’s a town center with a hair salon, nail salon, souvenir shop, and more.

11.Athletes can receive free dental and medical care.

12.Athletes can be drug tested at anytime.

13.Sometimes more than one Olympic Village exists at the same Olympics.

14.There are lots of activities to do at the Olympic Village.

15.Anything can happen to anyone, and I surprisingly rocketed to a few weeks of fame.

16.The Olympics can be for anyone, one is never too old.

17.And finally, after the Olympics, life is never normal again.

Hungarian athletes march at a sports event, led by a flag bearer holding Hungary’s flag. Participants wear winter sportswear with green hats and wave small flags

Elizabeth Swaney with the Monaco bobsled team in the Olympic Village dining hall of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang

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Mascot Soohorang at PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics poses with Elizabeth Swaney and two Hungarian Olympic teammates in winter jackets and hats holding flags. Other athletes and countries are in the background.

Three packaged condoms in yellow, purple, and red wrappers arranged in a triangle

Allen Blackwell, Elizabeth Swaney, and Nicholas Vienneau, skeleton and new ski coaches, stand in front of a "Welcome! PyeongChang 2018" banner, with Elizabeth holding an Olympic bib

An illustration of a syringe with a black drop on the left and a red drop on the right

Group photo of people at an event wearing various festive accessories and costumes, like glasses and hats. The image features five unnamed individuals

Elizabeth is wearing her Hungarian team jacket and is being interviewed on the TODAY show. She is smiling and looking forward

People walking near the Eiffel Tower adorned with Olympic rings on a sunny day in Paris

Elizabeth in ski gear with a helmet and goggles stands in front of a snowy slope at PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics