Hassled Federer forced to quit village

By Simon Evans

BEIJING (Reuters) - World number one Roger Federer says he cannot stay in the Olympic village because of constant attention from other athletes.

Federer, who will carry the Swiss flag in Friday's opening ceremony on his 27th birthday, showed his face in the village and was swamped by fellow athletes turning into fans demanding autographs.

"It is impossible really, there are so many athletes asking for photos and so on. It is not ideal to prepare," he told a news conference on Thursday.

"I will go down once in a while to see the other Swiss athletes," said Federer who stayed in the village at the last two Olympics and even met his girlfriend for the first time at the one in Sydney.

"I have the option -- I can go to the village or I can get away," he added.

Federer begins his campaign against Russia's Dmitry Tursunov in the first round of the competition which starts on Sunday.

VILLAGE LIFE

The Swiss player, who will lose his number one ranking position to Spanish rival Rafael Nadal on August 18, said the difficulties of village life in Athens four years ago had stopped him from watching other events.