Thomas Ceccon, the Italian swimmer, made headlines at the Paris Olympics for an unusual reason: he was filmed sleeping outside the Olympic Village. This footage, captured by Saudi rower Husein Alireza, showed Ceccon napping on a blanket next to a tree. The clip quickly went viral, sparking discussions about the living conditions in the village.

Ceccon had previously voiced dissatisfaction with the Olympic Village, citing issues like poor food quality, discomfort, and lack of air conditioning. His complaints echoed concerns from other athletes, many of whom left the village for more comfortable accommodations. Despite the controversy, some athletes, like Coco Gauff, chose to stay, appreciating the camaraderie and experiences despite the village’s shortcomings. Reactions online were mixed, with some sympathizing with the athletes’ need for better facilities, while others criticized them for perceived entitlement.