Atala

Atala is the head trainer for the Hunger Games. Her job is to explain the point of each station, the possible ways to die in the arena, and to get the tributes in shape to compete.

Appearance
According to the text, Atala is tall and athletic. In the film, she is portrayed as being dark-skinned with black hair tied back in a loose ponytail and dark eyes. Atala's training outfit has the Capitol seal visible. Unlike most Capitol citizens, she looks normal to a modern or district-oriented perspective.

The Hunger Games
Atala is first seen in The Hunger Games when Katniss and Peeta join the other tributes for training. They stand in front of her in a semi-circle. She welcomes the twenty-four tributes and then explains to them about the different stations set up around the training center. She, as usual, reads through the list of stations, explains there is no combat allowed with other tributes, and then releases the tributes to train. While training, Cato and the District 6 male get into a fight over Cato's stolen knife, which was taken by Rue. Atala is heard blowing her whistle to get their attention and tells them to get back to training.

Catching Fire
Atala reappears in Catching Fire when Katniss and Peeta return for the Third Quarter Quell. Again, she welcomes the tributes and then directs them in their training. She, as usual, reads through the list of stations, and then releases the tributes to train.

Movie

 * In the movie Atala stresses the survival stations and warns them that many die from natural causes in the games. She explained to the tributes: "No fighting with other tributes, you'll have plenty time for that in the arena. My advice is don't ignore the survival skills. Twenty-three of you will die. One will not. Who that is depends on your ability to anticipate. Everyone wants to grab a sword but lots of you will die of natural causes. Ten percent from infection. Twenty percent from dehydration. One year the arena was a frozen tundra. Five years ago it was a burning desert. Exposure can kill you as easily as a knife."

Trivia

 * Atala is portrayed by Karan Kendrick in The Hunger Games.
 * She says she can whip even the weakest tribute into shape.
 * Atala's fate in the series was never confirmed. It is assumed she is alive, although there is a chance she perished in the Battle of the Capitol at the hands of District 13.

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