- Ariarne Titmus calls conditions for athletes ‘ridiculous’
- ‘Ecologically responsible’ Olympic village in Paris is a topic of conversation
- Titmus received online criticism for her comments
Sports fans turned against Australian polar queen Ariarne Titmus and her teammates after they complained about life in the Olympic village.
The 23-year-old Titmus, who convincingly won the 400-meter freestyle final, called the conditions for athletes in Paris “ridiculous.”
“Living in the Olympic Village makes it difficult to perform,” she said in an interview on Sunday.
‘It’s certainly not meant for top performances, it’s about who can really keep it together in their mind.’
But some fans on social media accused her of whining and called her comments un-Australian.
“Leave me alone, why is it always the Australians who make excuses?” someone shouted angrily.
Another wrote: ‘Come on, think how privileged you are to be here… complaining is really childish.’
Others argued that all the athletes in Paris are ‘in the same boat’ and therefore there is no point in complaining.
Sports fans turn on Australian polar queen Ariarne Titmus after she complained about life in the Olympic village in Paris
Titmus, 23, who convincingly won the 400m freestyle final, called the conditions for athletes ‘ridiculous’
Sports fans were quick to criticize Titmus and suggested that she should concentrate on her swimming career.
“Our athletes are becoming a bunch of spoiled whiny Australian representatives. If you don’t like your situation, just leave, go home and get a job!” someone said.
Another wrote: ‘I’m not very impressed when the contestants think their achievements are due to their accommodation… Come on, and think how privileged you are to have the opportunity to be here.’
Australian Swimming head coach Rohan Taylor also spoke about the conditions, saying adaptability is key to competitors’ success in France.
“The Olympics have always been a challenge,” he said.
“Every Olympics I’ve been in, every Olympics you see, is a test of the ability of athletes to come here, compete and perform when it matters.
‘It’s about how you deal with yourself and whatever environment you’re in, whatever beds you have, whatever food you eat, everyone deals with it.
“The Olympics have always been like this and that’s the way it is. And that’s the beauty of it.”
Fortunately for Titmus, circumstances have not stopped her from achieving success in the pool.
Australian swimming head coach Rohan Taylor (pictured) has reminded the swimmers not to let anything distract them from their performance, including the conditions in the village.
Following her exploits in the 400m freestyle, she took silver in the 200m freestyle final behind teammate Mollie O’Callaghan.
Titmus was gracious in her defeat, admitting that her tears were “of joy,” adding that she was happy for her compatriot.
As the pair accepted their gold and silver medals, there was a touching moment. O’Callaghan invited Titmus to join her on the podium.
The pair embraced as they stood together in the spotlight as the Australian national anthem was played.