Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon has stirred controversy at the Paris Olympics by blaming his poor performance in the 200-meter backstroke on the living conditions in the Olympic Village.
Despite securing Italy’s first-ever gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke earlier in the week, Ceccon failed to qualify for the finals in the 200-meter event, attributing his underwhelming showing to the accommodations.
Unfortunately, Ceccon isn’t the only complainer hiding out in the Olympic Village, either.
Ceccon, who has gone viral for his good looks and has garnered a significant fan following, expressed his frustrations with the heat and lack of air conditioning in the Olympic Village.
Ceccon Blames Air Conditioning
“In the Village, there is no air conditioning, it’s hot, the food is bad. Many athletes move because of this. It is not an alibi, it is the pure chronicle of what perhaps not everyone knows,” Ceccon stated.
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The Paris Games, aimed at being the “greenest” Olympics ever, have emphasized environmental sustainability, resulting in athletes sleeping on recyclable cardboard beds without air conditioning.
The 22-year-old swimmer’s comments have sparked debate, with some viewing them as valid concerns and others seeing them as excuses.
“I emphasize that this is not meant to be an excuse or an alibi, we are all experiencing the same situations and are in the same conditions,” Ceccon clarified, acknowledging that all athletes are facing similar challenges.
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However, he claimed that the conditions affected his performance, stating, “Maybe I did not go into the water with the same conviction that I had in the 100, and that was my mistake.”
Some have pointed out that other delegations brought their own air conditioning units and beds to better prepare their athletes, a step that Italy did not take.
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