Athletes at the Paris Olympic Village have complained about extreme heat, limited vegan food options, and concerns about theft in Paris.
Athletes complain about the terrible conditions at the Paris Olympic Village
As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris continue, many athletes have started to express their concerns about the conditions in the Olympic Village.
While the excitement of competing in such a prestigious event is high, the living situation has left many feeling frustrated.
Reports indicate that athletes are dealing with extreme heat, a limited menu focused on vegan food, and concerns about theft.
The Olympic Village is designed to be a home away from home for athletes from around the world.
It provides accommodation, dining, and facilities to help athletes prepare for their competitions.
However, this year, many athletes have reported that the heat in the village is unacceptable.
With temperatures soaring, the lack of air conditioners has become a major issue, as many struggle to find relief from the oppressive heat.
This situation has led to discomfort, affecting the athletes’ ability to rest and recover before their competitions.
Lack of air conditioners amid brutal heatwave in Paris Olympic Village
The Paris Olympics Organizing Committee had aimed to make these Games the most sustainable yet, prioritizing eco-friendly practices.
However, their plans to make the Olympic Village ‘self-cooling’ have not worked, leaving the athletes disappointed.
“It’s just so hot in the village, it’s really uncomfortable,” British swimmer Olivia Smyth complained.
“The air conditioning units are constantly in high demand, but they don’t seem to be keeping up with the temperatures.”
According to weather reports, Paris has experienced a brutal heatwave this summer, with temperatures reaching over 95°F (35°C) on multiple days.
French swimmer Assia Touati said: ‘We had no AC in the bedroom but they installed it anyway because it was getting too hot.’
An Algerian rower said: “We have fans in the bedrooms, but that’s not enough. It’s too hot at night. We can’t leave the windows open because of the mosquitoes — too many mosquitoes.”
AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said, “We understand the idea of avoiding air conditioning to reduce the carbon footprint.”
He added, “But this is a high-performance Games. We’re not just going for a picnic.”
Too focused on vegan food
In addition to the heat, athletes have also expressed dissatisfaction with the food options available in the Olympic Village.
The menu reportedly focused on vegan meals, which has not pleased everyone.
Many athletes have different dietary needs and preferences, and they feel that a more varied menu would better support their nutritional requirements.
Some have stated that they rely on specific foods to fuel their training and competition, and the lack of options has made it difficult for them to maintain their diets.
Athletes believe that having a wider range of meal choices, including protein-rich options, would help them perform at their best.
Canadian hurdler Liam Mackenzie said: “I’m all for sustainability, but I need more protein and variety in my diet to properly fuel my training and competition.”
“The vegan options just aren’t cutting it,” she added.
Rife with theft in Paris Olympic Village
Another serious concern that has emerged among athletes is the issue of theft within the Olympic Village.
Reports of items going missing have raised alarms, causing many athletes to feel unsafe and worried about their belongings.
With so many competitors living in close quarters, the potential for theft has increased.
French basketball player Elise Berthomieu had her medal and other valuable items stolen from her room.
“Unfortunately, we have to worry about the safety of our belongings on top of everything else,” she lamented.
Another theft report happened when a Japanese rugby player complained that $3,184 worth of items including a wedding ring and a necklace were stolen from him.
Similarly, Brazil football legend Zico fell victim to a theft, where his bag containing jewels and banknotes valued at over $500,000.
The organizers ensure improving accommodations for athletes.
Organizers have recognized the complaints and committed to making necessary adjustments.
They stated that the health and comfort of the athletes are the top priority.
Efforts are underway to increase the availability of AC units and provide more flexible catering options.
Many athletes feel frustrated that the Organizing Committee did not listen to warnings about the difficulties of hosting the Games in the summer.
“We’ve been telling them for years that Paris in August is going to be a nightmare, but they were determined to stick to their sustainability agenda,”
“Now we’re all suffering the consequences,” American heptathlete Sarah Robertson said.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to compete and chase our Olympic dreams,”
“But the Organizing Committee needs to do a better job of providing the necessities we need to perform at our best,” Kenyan sprinter Fatuma Noor emphasized.