The legendary British cyclist Mark Cavendish recently shared his tough experience living in the Olympic Village, despite Rafael Nadal‘s defensive stance on the matter.
This year’s Olympics was likely Nadal’s last, and it didn’t end on a high note. Although he’s won gold twice before, he couldn’t replicate that success this time around.
Held at Stade Roland Garros, where Nadal has triumphed 14 times in the past, the 2024 Olympics wasn’t favorable for him due to his current form and injury history.
Nadal, now 38, faced Novak Djokovic in what many called their “last dance,” losing to him in the second round of singles. In doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, they fell short of a medal after losing to Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram from Team USA in the quarterfinals.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal | 38 | 215 | 7 - 5 |
Life Inside The Olympic Village:
During his stay in Paris, Nadal chose to live among other athletes in the Olympic Village. He wanted to fully experience the event but admitted that conditions were far from perfect. Coco Gauff even posted videos showing how crowded it was despite its $1.6 billion price tag.
Some American players opted for different accommodations. Djokovic had already decided he would stay with his family at a hotel instead of the village.
Fans might think it’s interesting how living conditions can affect performance so much.
Cavendish wrote that an athlete’s living environment directly impacts their performance. He pointed out that Djokovic won gold while staying offsite, unlike Nadal.
For such a significant event like the Olympics held every four years, athletes need top physical condition and clear minds without worrying about food or lodging issues.
“It probably sounds spoilt,” Cavendish said. “But these things matter when you’ve obsessed over every detail for four years.”
He expressed concern that as sports get more professional, big-name athletes might skip staying at the village altogether to control variables better like nutrition and rest.
“You can feel the tide turning,” he added. “I saw Rafael Nadal defend his decision to stay in the village this year… But it was perhaps noteworthy that it was Novak Djokovic who won men’s Olympic gold.”
Nadal has since pulled out of all summer tournaments in North America including the upcoming US Open but plans to play at Laver Cup in September and possibly travel to Saudi Arabia for an exhibition match later this year.
What do you think? Should top athletes avoid staying at places like the Olympic Village?