While Thomas Ceccon secured an Olympic gold medal in Paris, it’s uncertain if restful sleep played a role in his triumph.
The Italian athlete claimed victory in the men’s 100-meter backstroke, marking his first Olympic gold at the age of 23 during his second Olympic appearance.
However, he faced challenges in the 200-meter event, where he didn’t advance to the finals.
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Gold medalist Thomas Ceccon of Italy stands on the podium with silver medalist Xu Jiayu of China, left, and bronze medalist Ryan Murphy of the United States following the men’s 100-meter backstroke final at the Summer Olympics on July 29, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Ceccon expressed he was “too fatigued” during the semifinal.
“It’s tough to sleep at night and even in the afternoon. The heat and the noise here are really challenging,” Ceccon remarked after the event.
Last week, Saudi rower Husein Alireza observed Ceccon resting on a sheet beside a bench on the lawn.
Ceccon noted he was simply taking a “nap.”
“There’s no air conditioning in the village, it’s hot, and the food quality isn’t great,” Ceccon explained regarding the conditions. “Many athletes relocate because of this. It’s not just an excuse; it’s the reality that perhaps not everyone understands.”
The conditions in the village are a consistent topic at each Olympic Games, but this year reports indicate issues like undercooked meats, insufficient food portions, and mattresses likened to cardboard.
Moreover, the absence of air conditioning has prompted numerous athletes to bring fans, as the organizers had proposed a more eco-friendly cooling system.
Thomas Ceccon of Team Italy is seen post-race after competing in the men’s 200-meter backstroke semifinals during the Olympic Games on July 31, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Yann Krysinski, responsible for the venue and infrastructure logistics at this summer’s games, stated in March that air conditioning units were deemed unnecessary due to the architecture of the facilities.
“These buildings were designed to be comfortable for summer living in 2024 and beyond, and we don’t require air conditioning because we’ve oriented the facades to minimize sunlight exposure in summer, along with having highly efficient insulation,” Krysinski told Reuters.
Gold medalist Thomas Ceccon of Team Italy stands on the podium during the medal ceremony after the men’s 100-meter backstroke final at the Olympic Games on July 29, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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This decision reflects the organizing committee’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the Paris Games by half, striving to host the most sustainable Olympics ever, utilizing innovative technology to harness natural resources for cooling during possible heat waves. However, these measures appear to have fallen short.
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