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Olympics 2024 started on July 26 and will continue till August 11 according to ESPN. Stade de France, that has the capacity to hold 80,000 people is chosen as the main Olympic stadium. 10,500 athletes will take part in Olympics 2024 among which half are female Olympians. This is a very encouraging situation for athletes around the world because this has never happened before.
Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Chaos
Chaos ensued among Christian community when the opening ceremony represented trans-community as the Last Supper. Christians of whole wide world are agreeing that it was derogatory and inconsiderate of the French catholic church. On the other side, athletes and sports persons are also not happy with Drag Queens being the show stopper for a renowned platform like Olympics. According to them, they had nothing to do with the spirit of sports whatsoever.
Olympic Village & Female Olympians
Olympic village or Olympic town is aimed to accommodate 14,250 Olympians including athletes, coaches and staff.
Eco- Friendly Initiatives:
Several eco-friendly initiatives were taken in Olympic Village 2024 including:
1- Cardbored Beds
2- Water Cooling System instead of Air Conditioning
3- Reusable Cups
4- Biofuel Powered Generators
5- Renting the Village to Offices, residential units & cafes
6- Cutting Food Waste by Better Estimation
7- Doubling the plant-based ingredients
While these initiatives are very good in theory, they are affecting male and female Olympians’ performance. High energetic performances require proper rest in favorable conditions, which is affected by these eco-friendly initiatives. As it is the first time for these changes, athletes and Olympians are finding it hard to adjust while being away from home. Were they really going for eco-friendly options or just saving money and budgeting like me, the Budget Queen?
Sub-par Living Conditions:
Living condition are not very good in Olympic town, as there is limited to no air conditioning and food is reported as bad by several female Olympians. One male athlete ‘Thomas Ceccon’, who won a gold medal resorted to sleeping on the floor for his afternoon nap, because the Olympic village bedding is sub-par and noise is just too much. A French swimming athlete ‘Assia Touat’ said there were no air conditioning, and it was too hot outside so the management installed it after some complaints.
Food Problems:
It sounds like the 2024 Olympics faced significant challenges with food services in the athlete’s village. Despite the massive effort to prepare 13 million meals and snacks, the execution appears to have fallen short, particularly concerning the quality and nutritional needs of the athletes. The British team’s concerns, highlighted by their chief executive ‘Andy Anson’, brought additional attention to the issue.
The situation with raw meat and inadequate meals could impact athletes’ performance and overall experience at the games. It’s crucial for organizers to address these concerns swiftly to ensure all athletes have access to proper nutrition during the competition. This is especially important given the rigorous demands of their sports and the need for optimal health and energy levels.
Female Athletes fighting Against All Odds
1- Australia’s Ariarne Titmus : Swimming Athlete
She is an Australian swimmer, who broke many records like women’s 400 metre freestyle world record in 2022, and defeating the 5 times Olympic Champion Katie Ledecky and declared World Champion in 2019. Miss Ariarne Titmus won 2 Gold medals and 2 Silver medals in Paris Olympics 2024 while living in Olympics town. According to her, she couldn’t break the world record because of the tough living conditions at the Olympic village.
Female athlete was too busy trying to make her self comfortable rather than focusing on the game. She had an ovarian tumor removed in Sep 2023, and continued to practice swimming. She recovered her health and game to the point that she is beating several female Olympians from all over the world and bringing home several medals.
2- Algeria’s Imane Khelif : Boxing Athlete
Everyone was looking horrified when Hungry’s Anna Hamori said that she was competing against a transgender. Imane Khelif was bright in limelight by her opponent accusing her of being a biological male. The boxer is 25 and competing in 66 kg boxing category. Hamori’s accusations were proved baseless and Khelif managed to secure a bronze medal in Olympics 2024.
She took part in the Olympics 2021, Mediterranean Games in 2022 and Arab Games in 2023. Her boixing is improving by each punch she takes in a boxing match. She is added in our list because of her strong spirit that kept her going even when another female Olympian accused her and world subconsciously sided with her. Khelif’s father said that he has raised her daughter to be strong and she was born and raised as female.
3- Allyson Felix : Retired Team Racing Athlete
Allyson Felix achieved 7 Olympic Gold Medals and 15 World Championships in team racing. She retired 2 years ago in 2022 but managed to create a first-ever nursery in Olympic Village. This nursery caters to babies of female athletes and families at the moment.
According to her, parenting and sports can co-exist side by side. She became a mother to a beautiful daughter in 2018 and continued her racing career. Athletes are taking advantage of this facility in the Olympic Village including male and female Olympians. According to Allyson, this nursery would be on a bigger level for the Olympics 2028.
4- Australia’s Jessica Fox : Canoeist Olympian
Jessica Fox entered Olympics in 2012 and got silver medal on the first try in K1 event. She has been unstoppable since then. She won Bronze medals in the 2 Olympics after that in the Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. She broke all records this year. Jessica Fox was so thrilled after acheiving 2 gold medals in Paris Olympics 2024. She won C1 and K1 events and stayed in Olympic village throughout.
She is by far the most decorated female olympian canoeist. She was aiming for the historic gold medal triade but lost against her own sister ‘Noemie Fox’. Following the plan is difficult in Kayak Cross, you make a plan but nothing goes to plan; said Jessica Fox in an interview. She said she was devasted for not making the history with 3 gold medals but was really proud of her sister. So, it was really a bittersweet moment for both of them and their fans as well.
5- USA’s Emma Navarro : Tennis Player
Emma Navaro is a rising tennis star who gave her WTA Tour debut in 2019. She was born in 2001 and has been playing tennis professionally since college. She was able to reach Wimbeldon Quarterfinals in 2024, so this year brings major incline in her game. This is her first ever Olympics and she is also facing difficulties in Olympic Village. Alot of female olympians are leaving the Olympic Village. When asked about the number of athletes who had left and the reasons behind their departure, a USA Tennis spokesperson chose not to comment.
However, Emma Navarro did speak up, revealing that she had issues with the beds at the venue—a topic that has already become an internet sensation. Navarro mentioned that the beds were so uncomfortable that she had struggled to get a good night’s sleep since her arrival. This quirky detail has added to the Olympic lore, with stories about the infamous beds spreading like wildfire online. Navarro’s candid admission highlights the unexpected challenges athletes face, even in top-tier international events, and how even small details like sleeping arrangements can impact their performance.
While the official reasons for athletes leaving remain unclear, Navarro’s experience sheds light on one of the possible factors. It’s a reminder that behind the scenes, the journey to Olympic glory is fraught with obstacles, both big and small.
6- Australia’s Matilda Kearns : Water Polo Player
Matilda Kerns gave her Olympics debut in 2020 in Tokyo Olympics. She herself hasn’t won any medal yet, but still making waves with her polo performance. Australian water polo team is still playing and in the lead, so we all can hope of Kearns medal this year.
Compounding the concerns about food, the accommodations also drew criticism from athletes. Australian water polo player Matilda Kearns shared her frustration on social media, revealing that she had already required a massage to alleviate discomfort caused by the mattresses in the athlete’s village. These mattresses, advertised as having varying levels of firmness to cater to different preferences, seemingly failed to meet the needs of many athletes. Kearns’ post highlighted the physical toll that inadequate sleeping arrangements could have on athletes, who require optimal rest and recovery to perform at their best.
These issues underscore the challenges and high stakes involved in organizing an event of such magnitude. Providing adequate nutrition and comfortable accommodations is critical for athletes’ performance and overall well-being. The organizers must address these concerns promptly to ensure athletes can focus on their competitions without unnecessary distractions or discomforts. As the games progress, it will be essential to monitor how these logistical issues are resolved and their impact on the athletes’ experience at the 2024 Olympics.
7- South Korea’s Kim Woo-min: Swimming Female Olympian
The 2024 Olympics have encountered several logistical issues, impacting the athletes’ overall experience. Swimmer Kim Woo-min highlighted one such problem, expressing frustration over overheating on a bus with no air conditioning and windows that were taped shut. This situation not only caused discomfort but also raised concerns about the health and well-being of the athletes during their commute.
In addition to the overheating issue, Woo-min reported that one of the buses was involved in a minor accident. This incident led to further delays as time was wasted on the road after the driver missed a turn. Such transportation problems can disrupt athletes’ schedules and add unnecessary stress during an already demanding period.
To mitigate some of these challenges, the swimmers’ accommodations have been adjusted. Their hotel is now situated just a five-minute walk from the arena, reducing their reliance on problematic transportation and ensuring they can easily access their training and competition venues. These logistical hiccups highlight the complexities of organizing a large-scale event like the Olympics. Ensuring smooth transportation and adequate accommodations is essential for athletes to perform at their best. Addressing these issues promptly will be crucial for improving the overall experience for all participants.
8- America’s Simone Biles : Artistic Gymnast
She is a very beloved USA’s gymnast who is famous and talented as well. Simone Biles managed to achieve 3 Gold medals and 1 silver medal in Paris Olympics 2024 while staying in Olympic Village. While her other performances went without a hitch, Biles fell on the beam in one of them. She recovered herself quickly enough and then gave an electrifying performance with her signature triple-double and gave a beautiful landing, making her worthy of silver medal. She is the true spirit of all female Olympians making zestful comebacks and being stronger than ever.
Simone felt so much anxiety that she was shaking in Olympic Village. According to her, cafeteria’s were too crowded and people were asking for photos whenever she went there to eat, so she just stocked up food and closed herself in dorm. So overall, her experience with the village did not went well, as her mental health was disturbed.
9- India’s Nisha Dahiya: Wresting Female Olympian
Dahiya won bronze medal in U23 World Wrestling Championships 2021 in 68 kg wrestling. In 2023, she won a silver medal in Asian Championships in the same category. While Nisha Dahiya was unable to win any medal, but she managed to win millions of hearts. Her arm got injured in the quarterfinal wrestling match against South Korea’s Pak Sol Gum. She continued to fight with straps on her arm and in excruciating pain. Audience were cheering her watching her strength in awe.
After the match, it was confirmed that she also suffered from a shoulder injury and will need time and health plan to recover. This diagnosis on female Olympian was done by doctors at Olympic Village Paris. Indian athlete and her team including coach seemed satisfied by the treatment provided by medical facility in the Village and reported no new distress. She will be heading to her home country i.e. India after this injury and defeat.
10- South Korea’s An Se-young: Badminton Player
An was names most promising player in 2019 and win a gold medal in World Championship in 2023. She made history by being the first Korean badminton player to receive gold in world championship. Sports analysts are calling her a new badminton’s legend after she won gold in Paris Olympics 2024. She is now a part of élite female athletes club who has medals from every prestigious sports competitions. She started her career at 13 years of age and never looked back.
Female Olympians go above and beyond to win in Olympics 2024. An Se-young sustained a knee injury 1 year back and was still playing with bands and strips on her knee. Still, here technique, movements and sports spirit was unbeatable. She truly deserves the standing ovation, and managing all that while still facing hardships of eco-friendly initiatives at Olympic Village showed that if females sports persons put their mind to something, they become unstoppable.
Did Olympic Village Effected Female Olympians?
The issues at the 2024 Olympics Village have had significant impacts on female Olympians, affecting their performance, health, and overall experience. The challenges ranged from inadequate food services to uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, compounded by logistical problems with transportation.
Female athletes often have specific nutritional needs to support their rigorous training and competition schedules. Reports of insufficient protein and raw meat served at the village have likely posed serious dietary challenges. Proper nutrition is critical for recovery and peak performance, and the lack of adequate food can lead to decreased energy levels, slower recovery times, and an increased risk of injury. This is especially true for female athletes, who may have different caloric and nutritional requirements compared to their male counterparts.
The uncomfortable sleeping conditions, as highlighted by Australian water polo player Matilda Kearns, also had a considerable impact. Quality sleep is vital for muscle recovery and mental well-being, both of which are essential for optimal performance. Athletes like Kearns, who required massages to counteract the discomfort from their mattresses, face additional physical strain, which can detract from their performance and focus.
Moreover, logistical issues, such as overheating buses and transportation delays, add layers of stress and inconvenience. Swimmer Kim Woo-min’s experiences with non-air-conditioned buses and minor accidents on the road underscore the broader challenges that athletes face in simply getting to their events. These issues can cause unnecessary anxiety and fatigue, further affecting their ability to compete at their best.
For female Olympians, these compounded issues can be even more impactful due to the additional pressures they often face, such as balancing athletic performance with media scrutiny and potential gender biases in sports coverage. The 2024 Olympics aimed to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all athletes, but these logistical and service-related failures have highlighted areas that need urgent improvement. People also had high hopes for basketball star Caitlin Clark but she wasn’t selected.
In conclusion, the 2024 Olympics Village’s shortcomings in food quality, sleeping arrangements, and transportation logistics have significantly affected female Olympians. Addressing these issues is crucial not only for the current games but also for future events. Ensuring that all athletes, regardless of gender, receive the necessary support and resources is essential for fostering a fair and competitive environment. Moving forward, the lessons learned from these challenges should guide improvements in planning and execution to enhance the overall Olympic experience for every participant.