Paris is also known as the City of Lights, but there was nothing fanciful about staying at the Olympic Village, as documented in a viral TikTok video shared by Coco Gauff.
The 20-year-old exposed the harsh reality of living in the $1.6 billion congested accommodation facilities provided for the athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gauff is competing in her first Olympics after she was forced to miss the 2020 Tokyo Games three years ago because of the coronavirus. The young American was selected as joint flag bearer for her country alongside NBA legend LeBron James during the official opening ceremony.
The reigning US Open champion wanted to surprise her parents with the news of being named flagbearer. Little did she know, they were informed beforehand so that they could attend the opening ceremony.
"They knew the news before me, which, I thought I was gonna surprise them on the phone, and [my mom] was like, 'Yeah, I already knew. o I was like, 'Yeah, that's great.' But I'm glad that they'll be able to come and be here. I know they're excited."
She got her doubles campaign off to a winning start playing with Jessica Pegula, defeating the Australian duo of Daria Saville and Ellen Perez in straight sets. Gauff will make her singles debut on Sunday against Ajla Tomljanovic, also from Australia.
But on Saturday, Gauff shared behind-the-scenes footage for curious tennis fans who have been asking what it was like to live inside the Olympic Village. She gave fans a glimpse of the complex, which was built to accommodate over 10,000 athletes for the three-week event.
The video on TikTok, captioned "10 girls, two bathrooms. #olympicvillage," suggesting that ten athletes are sharing two bathrooms, details the Olympians doing their hair and makeup and getting dressed while living in confined and overcrowded spaces.
One fan suggested that she'd be better off living in a hotel. Gauff, who is an avid TikTok user, replied in the comments section that her fellow Team USA members, including Pegula, Emma Navarro, and Danielle Collins, have departed the Olympic Village.
"All the tennis girls moved to a hotel except me. so now just 5 girls two. bathrooms."
Another fan was excited that the camaraderie resembled a "big summer vacation," but not all in the comments section were on board with that. One inquired, "Coco, how are you holding up? I don't think I could do that."
"well, it's only 5 girls now so I have the room alone. roommates are very chill. i love it.
Daria Saville has previously shared a tour of her room, which has a customized cardboard bed and mattress. One concerned fan asked, "Coco, omg, how are you going to be sleeping on those cardboard beds? I wish you luck."
"Archery team lended me a mattress topper."
Not all athletes are staying in the Olympic Village. Gauff has already confirmed that she is the only American tennis player currently on the premises after her countrywomen left.
On the men's side, Novak Djokovic chose not to live there even before he arrived, preferring private accommodation in a hotel as he wanted additional comfort and privacy as part of his routine this year.
Subscribed successfully
0 Comments