An Olympic gold medallist has recently been spotted sleeping in an unconventional location after expressing dissatisfaction with the accommodation provided.
The Olympic Village beds have been at the center of controversy, as they have been revealed to be the same “rock-solid” cardboard beds used during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. These beds gained attention when American track and field runner Paul Chelimo posted about them on social media, suggesting that they were designed to discourage intimacy among athletes.
The bed situation in the 2024 Paris Olympic Village came under scrutiny once again when an image of a plain cardboard bed, labeled as “sustainable,” was shared online. People quickly voiced their disapproval, comparing the beds to cardboard boxes and expressing concern about how athletes could perform at their best with such sleeping conditions.
Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon, an Olympic gold medalist, was among those who resorted to finding alternative places to sleep. Recently, a video of Ceccon sleeping in a park inside the Olympic Village was shared on Instagram. In the caption, Saudi rower Husein Alireza wrote, “Rest today, conquer tomorrow.”
Ceccon had expressed his dissatisfaction with the living conditions in Paris, stating that there was no air conditioning, the food was bad, and many athletes had opted to find alternative accommodations. He clarified that these were not excuses but the reality of the situation
While Ceccon had previously won a gold medal for the Men’s 100m Backstroke, he had not been able to reach the 200-meter backstroke final. He attributed his performance to the difficulty of sleeping in the heat and noise of the Olympic Village.
Ceccon is not the only athlete facing such challenges. Australian water polo player Tilly Kearns took to social media to show how her team manager made their beds more comfortable. They added thick mattress toppers and provided extra pillows, ensuring a better sleep experience for the athletes.
With just a week left until the end of the Olympics, the athletes will soon be able to return to the comfort of their own beds at home. Until then, they continue to persevere and give their best despite the less-than-ideal sleeping conditions in the Olympic Village.
