The world’s top athletes are facing less-than-ideal conditions in the Olympic Village, as revealed by their viral TikTok videos.
Young Olympians are sharing their experiences, complaining about the infamous cardboard beds, cramped rooms, and a college dorm-like atmosphere.
U.S. tennis star Coco Gauff highlighted the issue with bathrooms, sharing that ten athletes are sharing just two.
“10 girls, two bathrooms,” Gauff posted, capturing the chaos and adding a soundtrack of a woman screaming to emphasize the frustration.
Rugby player Ilona Maher in her video tested her cardboard bed’s durability, expressing concern about its stability while still making light of the situation.
“Am I afraid my bed’s going to break? Yes. But I’m going to do it anyway. Let’s go.” Her video showed various athletes engaging in activities like attempting gymnast Amy Doyle’s balance beam routine on the fragile bed.
American gymnast Simone Biles didn’t mince words, commenting, “The bed sucks.” To improve her sleep quality, she resorted to using a mattress topper.
Track and field athlete Chari Hawkins raised privacy concerns through her Tik Tok video, noting, “There are no curtains.”
She improvised by hanging a large towel on a sticky part of the window to block out prying eyes.
Swiss rower Celia Dupre opted to stay elsewhere, citing long travel times, lack of air conditioning, and the uncomfortable cardboard beds.
“The cardboard box bed was so uncomfortable, hard as a rock,” Dupre shared on TikTok. “And then the Olympic duvet was really itchy.”
Despite abundant food in the dining hall, some athletes are finding it less than satisfying.
Tina Rahimi, an Australian boxer, provided a glimpse into the dining situation, showing food arranged by cuisine type—world, Asian, French, and halal.
American track and field athlete Zahria Allers-Liburd expressed frustration in her video with the food quality, claiming she has “lost 5 pounds in a few days” and desperately needs “a Chipotle bowl ASAP.”
Aleah Finnegan, a gymnast for the Philippines, commented, “Honestly, the food here, it’s good. It’s not really … seasoned, so…” indicating a lack of flavor in the meals provided.
Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen, however, found solace in the dining hall’s chocolate muffins, praising them in multiple videos.
He made at least four videos about the treat within the first three days of the games.
The Olympic Village’s lack of air conditioning has also been a significant issue, especially with temperatures soaring past 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon lamented the heat, saying, “It’s hot, the food is bad. Many athletes move because of this.”
Organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games had revealed last summer that air conditioning would not be installed to limit the Games’ carbon footprint.
However, this decision has proven challenging for many athletes, leading some, like those from South Korea and Australia, to bring portable air conditioners.
Despite the challenges, some athletes are making the best of their situation, with many opting for hotel stays to escape the discomfort of the Olympic Village.
This move has partially resolved issues like Coco Gauff’s bathroom situation, as some American tennis players have moved into a nearby hotel, reducing the ratio to two bathrooms for five athletes.
The Paris Olympic Village, while praised for its sustainable design and contributions from Michelin-starred chefs, has come under intense scrutiny since the Games started.
Hygiene and nutrition concerns have overshadowed the initial excitement, taking some of the shine off the Olympic experience for many athletes.
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