Olympics embarrassment: Gold medallist spotted sleeping in park as athletes fall ill after Seine swim
Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon was captured sleeping outside rather than in the athletes' village.
Olympics organisers are facing fresh questions about the conditions in the athletes' village and the water quality in the River Seine, after a gold medallist was spotted sleeping in a park, and a number of athletes have fallen ill. There's been headache after headache for Paris Games officials through the first week of competition - and two of the biggest talking points have been the athletes' village and River Seine.
The cardboard beds have been a huge point of contention for the athletes in Paris, with many complaining they're too hard and not conducive to a good night's sleep. The beds are designed to be environmentally friendly and can be re-used after the Games, but the athletes hate them.
One such athlete is Italian swimming champion Thomas Ceccon, who won gold in the 100m backstroke. Ceccon had previously aired his complaints about the beds and overall conditions in the village, but the situation took a staggering turn on Sunday night.
The Italian was snapped by another athlete sleeping outside in a park on nothing more than a towel. Ceccon had clearly grown fed-up with the situation and decided he'd be better off out in the elements. The 23-year-old had previously complained about the conditions in the village after failing to make the 200m backstroke final.
“There is no air-conditioning in the village. It’s hot, the food is bad,” Ceccon had 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. I’m disappointed that I didn’t make the final, but I was too tired. It’s hard to sleep both at night and in the afternoon. Here, I really struggle between the heat and the noise.”
Aussie superstar Ariarne Titmus had also aired her complaints about the village, suggesting it might have cost her a world record in the 400m freestyle. Titmus won the gold, but her time was noticeably slow.
Athletes comes down ill after swimming in River Seine
Meanwhile, the water quality in the River Seine is also back in the spotlight after a number of athletes came down ill. The mixed relay is due to take place on Monday morning, but could be pushed back after heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday again caused levels of bacteria in the water to rise.
But the Belgian team won't be taking part, even if the pollution levels subside. Claire Michel, who finished 38th in the women's triathlon on Wednesday, has fallen ill after swimming in the Seine and won't be able to compete.
The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee said in a statement that Michel "is unfortunately ill and will have to withdraw from the competition." The statement did not elaborate on Michel's illness, but Belgian media have reported it is due to E. coli.
Concerns have been raised over the iconic river's water quality, but officials deemed it safe for the men's and women's triathlons last week. Organisers had said bacteria levels in the river were at a level that was considered safe for the athletes. But Swiss triathlete Adrien Briffod has also fallen ill following the men’s race.
The Belgian committee said it "hopes that lessons will be learned for future triathlon competitions at the Olympic Games", adding: "We are thinking here of the guarantee of training days, competition days and the competition format, which must be clarified in advance and ensure that there is no uncertainty for the athletes, entourage and supporters."
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The men's race was postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday last week - the same day as the women's competition. Athletes were unable to swim in the river until the day of the race after organisers were forced to cancel training sessions.
Speaking at Sunday morning's IOC briefing, Paris 2024 director of communications Anne Descamps added: "We are expecting improvement regarding the weather forecast. As we've seen the sun and the heat have a very positive impact."
with AAP
