Olympic Village struggles: Athletes improvise to survive the lack of curtains
The lack of curtains in the Olympic Village's windows has caused quite a stir. Many athletes complain that the bright light entering their rooms prevents them from resting and sleeping and also strips them of privacy. Some have found clever solutions to this issue.
4:58 PM EDT, August 1, 2024
The Olympics, the biggest celebration of sports that attracts the best athletes from around the world, should be a place of competition at the highest level but also of comfort for those who have trained for years for this event. Unfortunately, the reality in the Olympic Village often falls short of expectations, leading to frustration and, worse, affecting the athletes' preparations for their competitions.
Athlete disappointment
The housing conditions in the Olympic Village should, in theory, provide athletes with the comfort necessary for concentration and rest. However, the reality is often different. Loud complaints about the quality of food, the lack of curtains in the windows, and undercooked meat have flooded social media, showing the scale of problems athletes face.
One of the most frequently discussed topics is the quality of the food. Athletes complain that the meals served do not meet their standards in terms of consistency and taste. They are often undercooked, with some meat practically raw. Food shortages also exacerbate the situation, forcing athletes to seek alternatives outside the Olympic village.
Covering windows with towels
The lack of curtains in the windows is a significant issue. Proper sleep is crucial for athletes. The lack of privacy also poses considerable discomfort, preventing the average room from functioning. American heptathlete Chari Hawkins found a way around this by hanging a black towel over the window, which improved the situation somewhat.
Athletes' ingenuity knows no bounds. Another U.S. representative, swimmer Mariah Denigan, took it further, using aluminum foil to darken the room and lower its temperature.
Videos of these makeshift solutions went viral, and netizens enthusiastically commented on the whole matter.