Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon made headlines when he won an Olympic gold medal in the men’s 100-meter backstroke event in Paris at just 23 years old. However, his success was overshadowed by his struggles to get a good night’s sleep in the Olympic Village.
After failing to qualify for the final in the men’s 200-meter backstroke, Ceccon attributed his poor performance to being “too tired.” He mentioned that he found it challenging to sleep at night and during the afternoon due to the heat and noise in the village. In an attempt to catch up on some much-needed rest, he was spotted by Saudi rower Husein Alireza napping on the lawn.
Ceccon opened up about the less than ideal conditions in the Olympic Village, citing the lack of air conditioning, hot weather, and subpar food as major challenges. Many athletes, including Ceccon, have struggled with the living conditions, with reports of uncooked meats, insufficient food portions, and uncomfortable bed mattresses made of cardboard.
Despite the complaints from athletes, Yann Krysinski, responsible for venue and infrastructure delivery at the games, defended the decision to forgo air conditioning in the buildings. He explained that the design of the buildings was intended to provide a comfortable living environment without the need for AC units, as part of the organizers’ efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the Paris Games.
While the organizers aimed to host the most sustainable Olympics yet by utilizing natural cooling methods, many athletes, like Ceccon, continue to grapple with the challenging living conditions in the Olympic Village. The lack of adequate rest and discomfort caused by the heat and noise have posed additional obstacles for competitors trying to perform at their best on the world stage.
