Paris, 6 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) — Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon has explained why he was spotted taking a nap in a park during the Paris Games - the cardboard beds in the Olympic Village are too uncomfortable.

Ceccon, who won gold in the 100 metre backstroke and bronze in the 4x100 metre freestyle relay team in Paris, was filmed sleeping on grass not far from the village.

"It's less uncomfortable, definitely," the 23-year-old told Eurosport on Monday after the pool swimming events concluded the day before.

"It's a bit hard to sleep in the beds. They're a bit hard, a bit narrow and a bit small."

Paris organizers decided to offer beds made of cardboard for sustainability reasons.

Athletes have also said the rooms in the Olympic Village are too hot due to a lack of air conditioning and complained that the food was too little and too bad at the start of the fortnight.