1 The Olympic village is one of the most exciting places on earth, full of the most talented sportspeople all chasing their dreams of gold. The atmosphere, especially in the first week of the Games, is intoxicating and in a bizarre way it can be counter-productive. Too much time spent chatting in the food hall, watching the Games on television, lounging by the pool or playing in the entertainment rooms is not conducive to winning medals when it comes to the actual competition. It's not a crime to spend a few hours reading a book or staying in the flat whiling away the hours until your race. After you finish your event, it is.

2 Move heaven and earth to go to the opening ceremony. The downsides are numerous: it's going to finish late in the evening, throwing out your routine; it may be hours on your feet with little food or water and it may be hot - but it won't be anticlimactic. From the 1984 jet-pack to the 1992 archer, Muhammad Ali to Cathy Freeman, the opening ceremonies are iconic. If you aren't competing the next day, it's great to go. Fend off the problems - take a water bottle, have an afternoon nap and sit down in the middle of the stadium after the parade of athletes, but go and enjoy.

3 The food hall. First of all, it's massive - capable of seating thousands of people - so fix a table or an area that you always eat at. That way you don't lose people. Secondly, don't overeat. The food is all free and usually good quality. If you want to eat ten fillet steaks, a kilo of pasta or a burger with bacon and cheese, no one is stopping you. Avoid the stuff you aren't used to - don't experiment with sushi-powered racing if you haven't done it before. Use the soft-drinks fridges in moderation.

4 Don't overtrain. It's only right that you are approaching the peak of your physical powers. You have trained for years for this moment and for almost the first time you aren't burdened with training. It feels amazing and each day it gets better. Don't waste it. If the coach says practise a few sprints, do three not ten. If you are supposed to race tomorrow, don't use it up today. As glorious as it feels, the energy is for the Olympics and even more importantly for the final. Save it - you might need every last bit.

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5 Noise. Be quiet around other athletes' accommodation at each end of the day. If you're on the first bus at 4am, don't bang doors on the way out. If your bout finished at midnight, don't have a shouting match with your coach. Most importantly, don't make any noise when you've finished competing. Some other countries won't respect the rule, but don't party in the village until it's all over. For Team GB it is a disciplinary matter if your behaviour adversely affects another Great Britain athlete's performance. Have too much karaoke in your flat and you'll be going home.

6 Use the facilities that Team GB lay on. You've got the BBC piped into your room, there's a British lodge to hang out with your friends and an office in the village that's going to shame the best concierges in the world. They are there to help to maximise your performance so if there's something missing, ask. And no, that doesn't mean that you can get a hot tub put in your room.

7 Media. You're in the village and the media can't get in. It's protection like you've never had before. You can ignore, dodge and refuse any interview that comes your way for the entire Olympics. But be warned, it won't be long before the Barclays Premier League starts up again and demand for the Olympics takes a big hit once the flame goes out.

8 Get organised. If you don't already, organise everything at least an hour before your training or your race; even better, get it all done the night before. Buses don't wait and team-mates have a short fuse for kit left behind or accreditation that goes Awol. The Olympics is stressful enough without some dunce adding to it.

9 Distractions. Thousands of athletes all at the peak of their physical powers makes for an intoxicating atmosphere. In the latter stages of the Games the village can turn into a kind of school disco with alcohol and everyone working out who to kiss and who to tell. It's not worth thinking about until you've got a medal round your neck. The Scandinavian bombshell will still be unavailable after you've finished your event - so ask then.

10 Security. Ever since 1972 in Munich when 11 Israeli athletes and coaches were murdered by terrorists who jumped the fence, the village security has been a priority. Don't mess with it. Most of the guards have guns and don't take kindly to being tested by athletes who think they are God's gift. Having a good time is one thing, trying to get round the security, smuggling people or contraband into the village is another.

11 Your friends and family can't get in, either. While it's good to have the ability to focus on your event, your family might have spent thousands of pounds getting out to support you. It's quite possible they will go for the full trip and see you only for a few minutes. Make time after you have competed to thank them properly. No one gets to the Olympics without a lot of support and your family will be bursting with pride wherever you've finished.

12 Watch other events. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have a right to watch other events. Each venue has an athlete area but they seat hundreds of people at best. The Games are a tasting menu of the best sport so you may find a session of weightlifting just as inspiring as the swimming. As the Games progresses, the athlete area may become tickets-only. Get adept at knowing where they are handed out and you may just see the best moment of the Games. Witnessing a Britain gold medal surrounded by dozens of other British athletes? Magical.

13 Finally, enjoy it. You may never have another chance to go into the village, whatever your plans for London. The task of representing your country at the Olympics is just about the most special feeling in sport, and while it might be stressful at times, the Games should be the most fun you've ever had. It's a just reward for the training you've put in.