The Olympic Village is facing significant criticism after a gold medalist was discovered sleeping next to a park bench.
One would think that residing in accommodations specifically designed to host the world’s top Olympians would be eagerly anticipated by all athletes.
However, that’s not the case for everyone.
Gold medalist Thomas Ceccon has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the conditions at the village.
Despite securing two medals this week, Ceccon voiced his displeasure about his living environment.
Labeling it ‘subpar,’ the Italian swimmer apparently found sleeping outdoors to be preferable to the quarters with a cardboard bed and decided to take a nap on the ground.
In a photograph, a white towel is visible spread on the grass beneath a tree next to a bench, with Ceccon curled up asleep.
Saudi rower Husein Alireza captured the moment and posted it on his Instagram, tagging the location as the Olympic Village grounds.
The 23-year-old has been outspoken about his accommodation since losing in the 200m backstroke final on Wednesday, July 31.
He told reporters: “There is no air conditioning in the village, it’s hot, the food is bad.
“Many athletes move for this reason: it’s not an alibi or excuse, it’s the reality of what perhaps not everyone knows.
“I’m disappointed that I didn’t make the final, but I was too tired. It’s hard to sleep both at night and in the afternoon.
“Usually, when I’m at home, I always sleep in the afternoon: here I really struggle between the heat and the noise.”
The Italian swimming federation FIN has emphasized that the video of Ceccon sleeping is unrelated to his earlier remarks about the Olympic Village.
They told news agency ANSA ‘it was just a nap’, noting that the footage was taken during daylight hours.
However, Ceccon is not alone in criticizing the Olympic Village conditions.
Team USA’s Coco Gauff revealed that one of her female tennis teammates left the village because the quarters were ‘too cramped.’
French swimmer Assia Touati remarked: “We had no AC in the bedroom but they installed it anyway because it was getting too hot.”
Australian water polo player Matilda Kearns mentioned that she ‘already had a massage to undo the damage’ from sleeping on the Olympic Village mattress.
So, perhaps the grassy park isn’t such a bad option after all?