Convenience. Comfort. Sustainability. Everything was hoped to be intertwined in the amenity-laden Paris Olympics village! Indeed, the crème de la crème of the athletes will be setting foot here, how could there be any lapses? And most countries were coming in with a similar mentality. But while Simone Biles and Co. made do with a quick fix for the anti-s*x beds, one of the American track and field phenoms, Fred Kerley, had to roll with a chilly punch in Paris!

The three-time world champion had something to speak about the on-ground situation straight from the French battlefield. What could it be? Well, you have all the reasons to wonder. But, he wasn’t alone. The Brits have jumped on the complaining wagon, unveiling how the preparations at the Olympic Village were not up to the mark in a way!

Amidst cold rivalries, Fred Kerley feels the temperature dip

Taking to his X account, Fred Kerley added a post on July 26, suggesting that he probably felt the chills in his room at the Olympic Village. He wrote, “My room Got super cold,” which perhaps may have caused the athlete some discomfort. But what was the reason behind this? Was there an air-conditioning snag?

Interestingly, air conditioners are not a ubiquitous sight in the Olympic Village. As a step towards eco-friendly Games, the Paris Olympic organizers have bid farewell to many elements to reduce carbon footprints, including the air-conditioning systems. Instead, a more efficient alternative, the geothermal cooling system is installed, adept at keeping the rooms below 26 Celcius — 79 Fahrenheit. Will that be enough? Well, the City’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, assures it would keep the players “very comfortable.”

Also, as per Yann Krysinksi – the infrastructural maestro behind the Paris Olympics – the village is using, “naturally cool water that we’re getting from underground to cool the air of these apartments.” Plus, the Village scenery this year poses a greener landscape, equipped with trees, gardens, and smart apartment orientations, that do not have the sun’s heat penetrating within. However, some nations opted for a different route. Including, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who upheld that they would tag their own air-conditioning units.

Sarah Hirshland, CEO of USOPC remarked, “In our conversations with athletes this was a very high priority and something that the athletes felt was a critical component in their performance capability and the predictability and consistency of what they’re accustomed to.” Also, as per a Team USA physiologist, it was stated that the potential temperature at the Village, going up to about 79°F could be lower than the optimal bedroom sleep micro-environment, and may result in athletes feeling light-headed or physically weaker on their D-days.

Regardless, more and more glitches keep coming into the picture.

Paris Olympics 2024 organizational fiasco

The Paris Olympics 2024 committee has aimed to lower carbon dioxide emissions to 1.5 million metric tons. To achieve this, they have made significant changes, such as rejecting diesel generators in favor of renewable energy sources. Moreover, efficient electric vehicles have replaced gas-powered buses. However, the arrangements on the ground do not seem in tandem with the idea of a ‘flawless show.’

Apparently, some of the Great Britain athletes have mentioned that the food served at the coveted platform is quite questionable. As per their claims, the hosts were serving ‘raw meat,’ linked with the additional issue of shortages. Team Great Britain’s Chief Executive stated, “There are not enough of certain foods: eggs, chicken, certain carbohydrates, and then there is the quality of the food, with raw meat being served to athletes.”

This remains shocking, especially given how the hosts prided themselves on housing Michelin-star chefs. As a corrective measure, GB’s players have switched to their own chefs. It seems that the British Olympic Association was prepared for these lapses and had hired an entire catering college in Clichy. Initially intended as their performance base, it has now become their eleventh-hour savior. The Chief Executive said, “The athletes are not going there just to eat their lunch, they are packing meals for their dinner as they don’t want to go into the athlete restaurant to eat.” 

And now, according to Fred Kerley’s remarks, it seems that the air-conditioning went a little too far as well. What do you think of these setbacks? Let us know below.