Italian Olympic Gold Medalist Thomas Ceccon Spotted Sleeping in a Park Amidst Dire Living Conditions at Olympic Village

Thomas Ceccon, an Italian athlete was spotted sleeping in a Park following bad living conditions at the Olympic Village during the 2024 Paris Olympics. He was photographed sleeping on a white towel under a tree according to the image shared by Husein Alireza, Saudi Arabia Rower. 

Ceccon won a gold medal in the men's 100-meter backstroke and a bronze in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle. He was dissatisfied with the living conditions at the Olympic Village citing issues like poor air conditioning, poor food quality, and lack of supplies. Ceccon said these are the main reasons why athletes are looking for optional accommodation.

“There is no air conditioning in the village, it’s hot, and the food is bad,” Ceccon told The Sun. “Many athletes move for this reason: it’s not an alibi or an excuse; it’s the reality of what perhaps not everybody knows. Usually, when I’m at home, I always sleep in the afternoon: here I really struggle between the heat and the noise.” Said Thomas Ceccon.

Seems it's not only Ceccon who finds the living conditions at the Olympic Village poor. Other athletes including Coco Gauf, Assia Touati, and Ariane Titmus seconded the 24-year-old Italian swimmer who has also complained about the poor accommodation.

It probably wasn’t the time I thought I was capable of, but living in the Olympic Village makes it hard to perform. It’s definitely not made for high performance, so it’s about who can really keep it together in the mind.

Ariane Titmus

The International Olympic Committee has received criticism regarding lack of air conditioning and cardboard beds. Paris Olympic organizers emphasized that the ‘anti-sex’ beds were primarily made for sustainability since they are 100% recyclable.

The organizers had also said they would shun air conditioning to reduce carbon footprint during the event despite several concerns about the weather in the French capital before the games started. Before the games started, delegations like India were concerned about the air conditioning, making the Indian government send its athletes to the Olympic Village with 40 portable air conditioners.