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Italian Olympic gold medalist Thomas Ceccon’s dissatisfaction with the accommodations at the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked a wider debate about the living conditions for athletes at the Games. A photograph of Ceccon sleeping in a park, shared by Saudi Arabian rower Husein Alireza, has brought the issue to light.

Ceccon, who won gold in the men’s 100m backstroke, has publicly criticized the living conditions, citing a lack of air conditioning, poor food quality, and inadequate supplies. He emphasized that many athletes were relocating due to these issues, highlighting that it was a widespread problem, not an excuse.

“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.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has faced backlash for the absence of air conditioning and the use of cardboard “anti-sex” beds, which were part of their environmental sustainability efforts. Athletes, including Ceccon, have complained about the heat, noise, and subpar food, which included insufficient quantities of essential items like eggs and chicken and instances of raw meat being served.

The British Olympic Association also reported similar food quality issues. “There are not enough certain foods: eggs, chicken, certain carbohydrates,” British Olympic Association Chief Andy Anson told The Times of London. “And then there is the food quality, with raw meat being served to athletes.”

Ceccon’s sentiments were echoed by other athletes like Coco Gauff, Ariarne Titmus, and Assia Touati, who also found the accommodations unsuitable. After winning the Olympic gold in the 400m freestyle, Titmus mentioned that better living conditions might have enabled her to break the world record. She criticized the village for not being conducive to high performance.

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

Organizers defended the accommodations, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability. The recyclable mattresses and cardboard bed frames were chosen to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. Before the Games, some delegations, including India, had already expressed concerns about the lack of air conditioning, forcing the Indian government to send 40 portable units for their athletes.