Village or Hotel? Athletes divided over Paris 2024 Olympics accommodations

The debate over where to stay during the Paris 2024 Olympics is dividing athletes. While some embrace the Olympic spirit and opt for the village experience, others prioritize comfort and choose luxury hotels. The cardboard beds provided for athletes at the Paris Olympics have sparked a wave of creativity and ingenuity.

Tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are among those who have opted for the village, despite its less-than-glamorous accommodations. On the other hand, fellow tennis player Emma Navarro found the conditions too uncomfortable and sought refuge in a hotel.

The cardboard beds, designed for sustainability, have been a particular point of contention. Athletes like Tilly Kearns have used mattress toppers and extra pillows to improve their sleep quality.

“To live the full experience, you need to be in the village,” Rafael Nadal told reporters on Monday after a straight-sets loss to long-time rival Novak Djokovic in men’s singles. “We are used to staying in hotels or houses with more comfortable amenities than those in the village,” he added.

“Playing Olympic Games without being in the village is like playing another event,” said Nadal, who has earned almost €130 million in career prize money and bolstered his wealth further through lucrative endorsements.

“It’s only once every four years, and for me, it doesn’t make sense to stay in a hotel; we stay in a hotel every single week,” said Nadal. The 22-time Grand Slam champion and teammate Carlos Alcaraz, a three-time major winner and a village resident, is representing Spain in men’s doubles.

The US basketball teams, known for their opulent lifestyle, have chosen to stay in five-star hotels, following a tradition established by the iconic 1992 Dream Team.

As the Olympics progress, the debate over village life versus hotel luxury is likely to continue, with athletes weighing the pros and cons of each option.

Reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff, competing for the US in women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, said on Sunday that she decided to remain in the village despite an exodus by some teammates.

“I was going to move with some tennis athletes to our hotel, but I kept meeting all these amazing athletes staying in the village,” said the 20-year-old, who has amassed €13 million in prize money so far, with additional earnings through sponsorships. “Rafa’s staying in the village, so I was like, if he can do it, then I can do it.”

“I stayed in there for three nights, I think, but I didn’t sleep basically at all,” Emma Navarro, Gauff’s teammate, told People, referring to the Olympic Village. “I slept six hours, so I had to move out and go to the hotel.”

Some athletes are leaving the Games Village in search of comfort. The Games Village for the Paris Olympics has been built in an area as big as 70 football pitches and can house 14,000 athletes and officials. While the majority of them are at the Village, a few athletes are shifting to their own arrangements for comfort, better logistics, and scheduling.

Tennis star Coco Gauff and water polo player Tilly Kearns are among those who have taken matters into their own hands to improve their sleeping conditions. Gauff secured a mattress topper from the archery team, while Kearns added a second pillow to her bed.

Despite the efforts to enhance comfort, the cardboard beds have proven to be a challenge for many athletes. The unconventional accommodations have led some to seek alternative sleeping arrangements, with several high-profile athletes opting to stay in luxury hotels instead of the Olympic Village.

Durant, a three-time gold medallist, told USA Today that he didn’t get a say in the matter, as his nation’s basketball team hasn’t stayed in the village since 1992 when it was comprised of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and others. “I don’t think we had a choice,” Durant told the newspaper. “I haven’t gotten into any [cardboard] beds since I’ve been doing this whole thing.”

For those looking to decamp to one of Paris’ finest establishments: Royal Monceau, which has counted Lady Gaga and Celine Dion as guests in the past week, has rooms this week for around €2,500, while Le Meurice has rooms for about €2,200.

While the Olympic Village is intended to foster a sense of camaraderie and shared experience, the reality of demanding athletic schedules and individual preferences has led to a diverse range of accommodations for the world’s top athletes.