Inside The Olympic Village: What Athletes Experience In Paris 2024

What’s it like to stay in the Olympic Village while you compete for glory in Paris? Just let the athletes tell you themselves. Intended to host the majority of the 11,000 athletes competing, the Village is chosen by most athletes to get the full Olympic experience. However, according to the athletes' own social media posts, the accommodations for these Games leave something to be desired — from the rock-hard cardboard beds to lack of privacy and mediocre food (in the gastronomic capital of the world, no less).

Among the most notable critics is the Team USA tennis superstar Coco Gauff, the world's number two, who pointed out several issues with the living conditions. Gauff and her team opted to leave the Village and stay in hotels. In a candid TikTok video, Gauff gave a tour of the conditions inside the new $1.6 billion facility, revealing she had to share a bathroom with 10 other competitors before five of them decided to leave.

U.S. track-and-field athlete Chari Hawkins highlighted the lack of privacy for changing clothes, stating that her room had no curtains. Additionally, reports of theft have surfaced, with at least five complaints filed since the athletes moved in. On July 28, a rugby player from the Japanese team reported the theft of a wedding ring, a necklace, and cash totaling an estimated 3,000 euros.

The Infamous Cardboard Beds

The Olympic Village's infamous cardboard beds, first seen in Tokyo, have returned, facing criticism from athletes who have denounced their discomfort and fragility. Spanish gymnast Ana Perez described the beds as "very hard" and "terrible," sharing her experience of arriving exhausted and fearing that the bed would "disintegrate" after spilling coffee on it.

Team USA gymnastics superstar Simone Biles commented in another Instagram video that "the bed sucks" and mentioned plans to get a mattress topper to fix the discomfort. Swiss rower Celia Dupre also expressed frustration, describing the cardboard box bed as "hard as a rock" and the Olympic duvet as "itchy" and "really hot." While intended to be eco-friendly, these beds have been dubbed "anti-sex beds" due to their engineered fragility.

Extreme Heat in the Village

Organizers in Paris aimed to make this Olympics the most sustainable ever, prioritizing a green approach in almost every area. Unfortunately, this has led to uncomfortable conditions for competitors. Some athletes have complained about the heat in their rooms during the peak of the Parisian summer, where temperatures are expected to soar above 96 degrees Fahrenheit.

Like much of Europe, the Village complex does not have air conditioning. Instead, organizers implemented a water-cooling system under the Athletes Village, similar to what helps the Louvre Museum cope with heat. However, many athletes have reported that this system has not been effective, making conditions unbearable, particularly for those on higher floors.

Food Options and Nutritional Challenges

The food at the Olympic Village has also been a subject of complaints. The menu is reportedly 60 percent vegan, which poses a challenge for athletes who rely on meat-based diets to maintain their physical condition. High-protein items such as eggs and grilled meats were rationed at breakfast, leading to dissatisfaction among the competitors.

Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, a medalist at the Games, expressed frustration that the "ridiculous" menu hindered her efforts to set a world record in the 400m freestyle. Many athletes feel that the food options do not meet their nutritional needs, which is critical for optimal performance.

Traveling to Events and Commute Issues

Athletes do not receive VIP treatment when traveling to and from events. They must rely on buses or the Paris Metro to reach stadiums and other venues, which can be time-consuming and uncomfortable. As a result, some delegations have considered moving athletes to hotels closer to the venues.

For instance, six South Korean swimmers have already left the Olympic Village and moved to a hotel near the swimming arena to avoid the long commute in hot buses. This shift highlights the growing concerns about the practicality of the Village setup for elite athletes aiming for peak performance.

Overall, the experience of staying in the Olympic Village during the Paris 2024 Games has proven to be a mixed bag for athletes. While it offers an opportunity to connect with fellow competitors and experience the Olympic spirit, the practical challenges regarding living conditions, food, and travel logistics are significant and could impact their performance.