missing the opening ceremony happens to quite a few athletes that compete in the first days. But I don't think that this will hurt the athletes whose competition is a later in the Games. In my opinion, a transcontinental flight within a week of your top race
can hurt your performance more. I flew from the US to Europe a couple of times. On some occasions I would swim PRs within a couple days of the arrival; other times, the transcontinental was simply too much. It's an individual thing and can vary.
Keeping the athletes from the Olympic site might be a valid reason in terms of optimizing pre race training and maximize their race performance. But why not travel to Europe, get adjusted to the time and train in a place close by. I mean Europe is small. Someone already mentioned Italy, France, etc.
Let's hope USAT and/or UOC has enough money and the athletes can stay additional days and enjoy the closing ceremony.
�The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.� -Michelangelo
MoodBoost Drink : Mood Support + Energy.