From questionable cuisine to rock-hard cardboard beds, athletes are using social media to vent about the village at the 2024 Olympics
Author of the article:
Theresa Balocating
Published Jul 31, 2024 • 3 minute read
![Why athletes are turning the 2024 Olympic village into a City of Flight (1) Why athletes are turning the 2024 Olympic village into a City of Flight (1)](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/nationalpost/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paris-olympics.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=0QTDGvaTcfv28tSHHQBKAw)
Is it the food? Is it the cardboard beds? Is it the fact the 2024 Olympics are being hosted in one of the world’s great cities, offering much more to see outside the fence than inside?
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Why athletes are turning the 2024 Olympic village into a City of Flight Back to video
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Whatever the reason, there have been several reports of athletes leaving their designated living space well ahead of schedule this month in Paris. (Notably: One Brazilian swimmer was removed from the country by her team after sneaking out of the village to enjoy a night in Paris.)
Advertisem*nt 2
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
- Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
- Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
- Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
- Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Don't have an account? Create Account
or
View more offers
Article content
Consider Coco Gauff, the star U.S. tennis player.
“I’m the only one really [left at the village],” Gauff said, via ESPN. “Like, at first I was going to move, and then when I kept meeting all these amazing athletes staying in the village, and then Rafa [Nadal] is staying in the village. So I was like, if he can do it, I can do it. But I understand why my teammates left.”
Why would they leave?
The food has been mentioned more than once.
“I don’t think it’s very good, at least what we’re having in the dining hall,” U.S. gymnast Hezly Rivera told reporters. “I definitely think French food is good, but what we’re having in there, I don’t think it’s the best. But it gets the job done.”
(And that is setting aside the fact that, heading into the Opening Ceremony, organizers were reportedly rationing eggs in the village due to a shortage.)
The use of cardboard beds has become a topic of discussion. First introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, organizers in Paris leaned into them as a way of touting steps taken toward being a green Games, based on their environment benefits.
According to a video from the official Olympics YouTube account, “These sustainable beds are 100 per cent made in France and will be fully recycled in France after the Games.”
Advertisem*nt 3
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The Canadian women’s rugby sevens team posted a (wonderfully fun) video demonstrating different ways of jumping on the bed, highlighting the durability and sturdiness of the cardboard bed frames.
![Why athletes are turning the 2024 Olympic village into a City of Flight (5) Why athletes are turning the 2024 Olympic village into a City of Flight (5)](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/nationalpost/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2163282219.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&sig=zTMKffPlbGgCDoJZxrokfQ)
As for the mattresses, Australian field hockey player Nathan Ephraums posted a TikTok with the caption describing the mattress as a “Scrub Daddy” bed, referring to the sponge-like make of the cushions. Matilda Kearns, Australian water polo athlete, said the beds were “rock solid” while even sleeping on the “softer” option.
Recommended from Editorial
- Broadcaster removed from 2024 Olympics for 'inappropriate comment' about Australian women's swim team
- Simmons: Unbeaten Canadian men's hoops team still trying to find its way at Paris Olympics
Simone Biles also commented on Dana Joelle’s TikTok saying, “the bed sucks…… BUT we are getting mattress toppers so hopefully it’ll get better,” with a crossed-fingers emoji.
Swiss rower Celia Dupre said that athletes from most nations have opted for hotels instead of the Olympic Village due to the complex being too far from event venues in a TikTok. The organizers had said that the village would be within 25 minutes of competition venues, however, due to timing and traffic, it would be a “logistical nightmare.”
Advertisem*nt 4
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Dupre says she is “not necessarily mad” that they are staying outside of the village to focus on their sport.
“We stayed one night in the village, and I didn’t sleep,” she said. “The Olympic duvet was really itchy, and it was really hot.”
On July 27, Gauff posted a TikTok video with the caption “10 girls, two bathrooms,” drawing attention to the limited space and bathroom facilities shared among ten athletes.
Zahria Allers-Liburd, representing St. Kitts and Nevis in track and field shared a that he had lost five pounds in a few days since eating the Olympic Village food: “I need a Chipotle bowl ASAP.”
Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Create an AccountSign in
Join the Conversation
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
Trending
- Ontario farmer says he has to pay $400,000 in archeological fees to build a home on his field
- What to know about the Olympic boxing bout that has reignited the gender controversy
- Amy Hamm: Hawk Tuah Girl turned out to be exactly what society needs
- Meet the 51-year-old who won an Olympic silver medal dressed like your high school science teacher
- Michael Higgins: Olympics-sanctioned boxing brutality tarnishes games
Read Next
Latest from Shopping Essentials
- 3 steps to apply self tanner at home Plus, a few of our favourite home sunless tanning products.
with Video
19hours ago Life
- WestJet promo codes and coupons to use in August How to save before your next getaway
20hours ago Shopping Essentials
Advertisem*nt 2
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
- The best toothpastes with the Canadian Dental Association seal of approval Toothpastes certified to fight cavities, gingivitis and sensitivity
23hours ago Shopping Essentials
- Best new gear added to lululemon’s 'We Made Too Much' section Reliable styles at can't-miss prices
23hours ago Deals
- The best online deals in the Canadian retail space right now Buffalo Jeans, Cozy Earth, Samsonite and Under Armour, to name a few
1day ago Shopping Essentials