One Olympic gold medalist would rather sleep in a park than in the athletes’ village in Paris.
Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon was spotted dozing next to a park bench Saturday after complaining about the living conditions at the Olympics.
Saudi rower Husein Alireza posted a photo on Instagram that pictured Ceccon on napping outdoors on a white towel.
“Rest today, conquer tomorrow,” the caption read, with the location marked as the Olympic Village.
Ceccon has publicly complained about the food and air conditioning inside the Olympic Village since arriving in Paris.
“There is no air conditioning in the village, it’s hot, the food is bad,” the 23-year-old told the Sun Wednesday after he failed to qualify for the 200-meter backstroke final. “Many athletes move for this reason: it’s not an alibi or excuse, it’s the reality of what perhaps not everyone knows.”
Ceccon, who also won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, said he’s been “too tired” and can’t sleep at night or in the afternoon.
“Usually, when I’m at home, I always sleep in the afternoon. Here, I really struggle between the heat and the noise,” he said.
The swimmer wasn’t the only athlete unsatisfied with the village’s living conditions. The American and Serbian men’s basketball teams both decided to trade the infamous cardboard beds for the plush mattresses of nearby hotels.
American flag-bearer Coco Gauff said athletes left the village in droves.
“All the tennis girls moved to a hotel except me,” she wrote on social media.
Olympic officials allow athletes to stay outside the village, but the organizers do not provide transportation from hotels to venues.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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