Athletes are reportedly complaining that the Olympic Village is “too hot, too vegan and full of theft.”
The Games organizers thought the design of the 2,807 “self-cooling” apartments would make air conditioning redundant, but they were wrong.
According to The timesAthletes are now complaining about the extreme heat in Paris, where temperatures are reaching up to 36 degrees.
The organizers of the Paris Olympics were determined to make these the most sustainable Games ever, prioritizing a green approach in almost every area.
However, the strong focus on environmental friendliness has led to appalling conditions for competitors striving for greatness in the French capital, resulting in few world records being set.
Athletes complain Olympic Village is ‘too hot, too vegan and full of theft’
Stars are unhappy with food choices, including fake meat meals and dairy-free products
Complaints have also been received about the extreme heat in the Olympic Village complex
Due to the extreme heat, the organizers allowed the delegations to purchase or rent air conditioning units for their athletes.
French swimmer Assia Touati said: ‘We didn’t have air conditioning in the bedroom but they installed it anyway because it got too hot.’
Meanwhile, an Algerian rower said: ‘We have fans in the bedrooms, but it’s not enough. It’s too hot at night. We can’t leave the windows open because of the mosquitoes — too many mosquitoes.’
Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, America and China all had air conditioning installed before the Games began, with AOC chief executive Matt Carroll saying: “We like the concept of not having air conditioning because of the carbon footprint,” but adding: “These are high-performance Games. We’re not having a picnic.”
There have also been complaints of theft within the complex, after a number of athletes reported losing belongings and there were no signs of a break-in.
A Japanese rugby player has had £2,500 worth of items stolen, including his wedding ring and a necklace.
Brazilian football legend Zico was targeted in a robbery after his briefcase containing a reported £420,000 worth of jewellery and banknotes was stolen.
Participating countries are allowed to install air conditioning in their athletes’ rooms
Argentina coach Javier Mascherano complained that his team’s Olympic training base was robbed before their match against Morocco
Similar incidents are said to have occurred during the Games, with Argentina coach Javier Mascherano complaining that his team’s Olympic training camp had been robbed before the match against Morocco.
“They went to train and robbed us during the Olympics,” Mascherano said after his team’s chaotic 2-1 defeat.
Athletes have now been warned to hide their valuables as there is no police presence in the Olympic Village.
Ultimately, the Games organizers bowed to pressure from the athletes and ordered more than 700 kg of eggs and an additional ton of meat to replace the emphasis on vegetarian food in the Olympic Village.
Before the Games, organizers in Paris boasted that 60 percent of the village’s food would be “plant-based.”
Administrators have now tried to downplay the problems in the Olympic village, but Paris 2024 general director Etienne Thobois admitted that organisers have responded to the lack of food options by eating much more meat and eggs.
The salad bar options in the Olympic Village have not been to the taste of all athletes in Paris
“In terms of food, we had to make some changes and adapt, that’s very normal,” said Thobois.
‘We have supplied an additional 700 kg of eggs and a ton of meat to meet the needs of athletes.
Recently, Australian cricket legend Michael Clarke claimed that an Olympic weightlifter was told he could only eat “two lamb chops” from the athletes’ buffet.
Clarke then complimented the teams and athletes who had arranged their accommodation elsewhere, and out of their own pockets.