Paris Olympics: PV Sindhu's Room Fan Malfunctions, Amit Panghal Orders Dal-Roti from Restaurant, Reflecting Poor Conditions
Paris: The Paris Olympics are in full swing, with athletes from around the world competing fiercely to bring home medals for their countries. However, the games village is posing significant challenges for many, including Indian athletes. Badminton star PV Sindhu faced a malfunctioning fan in her room, and boxer Amit Panghal resorted to ordering dal-roti from an Indian eatery due to the unavailability of suitable food options.
The grievances extend beyond the Indian contingent, as athletes from various nations report substandard accommodations, poor food quality, inadequate transportation services, and theft of valuable items from their rooms. These issues have raised serious concerns about the security measures in place at the sports village.
The Olympic Village has become a testing ground for athletes, with one Indian boxer likening a journey on a sweltering, unair-conditioned bus to a "ride through hell." This sentiment echoes among numerous athletes, highlighting a host of problems faced by top sports personalities at an event that has cost approximately $9 billion.
Among the troubling reports, a Japanese rugby player lost his wedding ring, an Australian coach had his credit card stolen, and American athletes criticized the cramped living quarters. Indian athletes have found vegetarian options limited, prompting Britain to bring its own chef to address culinary concerns.
The dissatisfaction among athletes is evident. India's top-ranked singles tennis player Sumit Nagal remarked, "From sleep to transportation and food... I haven't encountered a single athlete who is content." Boxer Amit Panghal's decision to order dal and roti from a nearby Indian restaurant for dinner underscores the challenges faced by athletes. Following her advancement to the knockout round, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu noted that her room fan malfunctioned on the hottest night of the Olympics so far, raising concerns about the quality of sleep for other athletes in the village.
In a bid to reduce the carbon footprint, the Paris Olympics organizers decided to eliminate air conditioning from the athletes' accommodations. This move has been met with mixed reviews, with an Indian table tennis player expressing dissatisfaction with the cardboard beds, finding them so uncomfortable that peaceful sleep has been elusive during the initial nights of the games.
To mitigate traffic congestion, India's sports delegation has arranged for a station wagon, a mini SUV, two minivans, and four additional vehicles to be on standby for transporting athletes between the sports village and various venues scattered throughout Paris.
As the games progress, the focus remains on addressing these logistical challenges to ensure athletes can perform at their best and make their countries proud.
