Producing a ‘home from home’ is not just a nicety, but an essential part of preparations for the Olympics B&Q has discovered, thanks to a survey at Team GB’s kitting out period last month.

Simon Clegg, Team GB 2008 Chef de Mission, explained: “We have been working alongside our partner B&Q to provide a huge amount of additional furniture and equipment for Team GB within the Olympic Village in Beijing. Home comforts such as TVs, DVD players, rugs, irons and Union Jack lamps should give our athletes that little bit extra in their quest for medals and will undoubtedly make it the best living quarters ever experienced by Team GB.”

A total of 280 athletes and support staff were interviewed about their accommodation in Beijing. Of those interviewed, over 90% of respondents felt really positive that Team GB’s accommodation in Beijing would be amongst the best in the village and 85% also said that it would have a beneficial effect on their performance, the survey found.

Jo Kenrick, Marketing & Customer Proposition director of B&Q, said: “B&Q has been working hard behind the scenes to create a comfortable and calm base for Team GB in Beijing. The home furnishings that B&Q has provided will enable Team GB’s support and administration team to work in offices from the athlete accommodation and also create a relaxing environment for Team GB athletes and an all important ‘home from home’ for them, which will hopefully make a medal winning difference.”

Thanks in advance to B&Q for GB’s medals this summer then. Below is a list of some of the things the firm supplied:

Item – Quantity

Adaptor plugs 100

Armchairs 166

Chest Freezers 9

Coat hangers 282

Comfortable chairs 24

DVD players 107

Extension leads 216

Fridges with ice box 102

Gazebos 10

Irons 110

Kettles 133

Parasols 18

Rugs 110

Two-seater sofas 124

TVs 91

Union Jack Lamps 460

Wall clocks 15