Coco Gauff has opened up about her experience in the Olympic Village, revealing that she is currently the only member of the American women’s tennis team still staying there, while her teammates have opted for a hotel. In a candid TikTok video posted on Saturday, the 20-year-old athlete showcased the challenging living conditions at the newly constructed $1.6 billion facility.
The video highlighted the cramped situation, with 10 women sharing just two bathrooms, leading to a chaotic scene as Team USA members prepared for the first day of events at the 2024 Paris Games. Gauff captioned the post, “10 girls, two bathrooms #olympicvillage,” prompting many viewers to comment on the tight quarters.
One fan expressed their surprise, saying, “I would go to a hotel,” to which Gauff replied, “All the tennis girls moved to a hotel except me. So now just 5 girls, two bathrooms.”
Her post has resonated with fans, providing a glimpse into the realities of Olympic life, emphasizing the camaraderie and challenges athletes face while competing on the world stage.
Gauff, however, noted that she’s enjoying herself inside the village, where thousands of competitors from around the world will reside for the next two weeks.
‘Well it’s only 5 girls now so I have the room alone. roommates are very chill. I love it,’ she explained.
Another fan expressed concern about her comfort after it was revealed the athletes would be sleeping on beds made out of cardboard.
‘Archery team lended me a mattress topper,’ she wrote.
It comes amid outcry after Australia’s Olympic Committee angered swimmers by informing them they could only stay in the village for 48 hours following their events before being required to either fly home or find their own accommodation in Paris.
Meanwhile, Aussie water polo player Tilly Kearns and her teammate Gabi Palm have publicly dragged the village’s cardboard bed frames.
‘Already had a massage to undo the damage,’ Kearns moaned via social media, as Palm chimed in, ‘My back is about to fall off.’
Team USA’s Olympic Village Director Daniel Smith previously told People that athletes can choose whether or not they want to stay in the Village.
Many high-profile athletes, including LeBron James and Stephen Curry on the men’s basketball team, are staying off-site in luxury digs.
‘If a sport decides not to stay in [the village], they have to find their own arrangements in terms of where they’re going to stay, and make their own hotel contracts,’ Smith said earlier this week.
Coco Gauff recently shared insights about the challenges athletes face in the Olympic Village, particularly regarding logistics for those who choose to stay outside the designated area. “A challenge with that is that basically you’re outside of the bubble at that point, and Paris 2024 won’t provide you transportation from your specific hotel,” she explained.
He continued, noting that athletes who opt for hotels miss out on the convenience of meals and other logistical support provided within the Village. Unlike most of the infrastructure for the 2024 Games, the Olympic Village was specifically built to accommodate over 10,000 athletes. After the event concludes, the area will be transformed into a residential and commercial neighborhood.
Earlier this week, Gauff had the honor of standing alongside LeBron James as one of America’s flag bearers during the opening ceremony. “I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the opening ceremony,” the Grand Slam winner stated. “I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is.”
Her experiences at the Games, both in the Village and as a flag bearer, highlight Gauff’s remarkable journey as she represents her country on an international platform.
