Kalyana parisu theme enacted in Paris Olympics !!!!

When do you hit bed daily ~ how long and how well do you sleep, ever slept in a public place  !! ~ in olden days, have heard that people will sleep by 0930 pm or 10 – now a days, some restaurants are wide open at midnight and people sleep at 12 / 1 / 2 or !!!    

CV Sridhar / Chitralaya Gopu fame ‘Kalyana Parisu’ starring Gemini Ganesan, Saroja Devi and Thangavelu was a hilarious comedy released in 1959.   The film is remembered even today for the imaginary firm `Mannar and Co' track [credit Chitralaya Gopu aka Sadagopan], involving Thangavelu  where he goes to park and sleeps the day, pretending to be at work. Years later, in the film ‘Coimbatore Mapillai’ Vijay comes to  city and stays with his friend Goundamani, who also fakes employment going to Valluvar kottam for sleeping !  

It is all about sleep and that of a person who slept at a park that went viral and became a global news as the one who slept was no ordinary mortal !!  

 

A few days ago, Italian Olympic Gold medallist Thomas Ceccon was photographed sleeping in a park during the 2024 Paris Olympics amid complaints of his dissatisfaction with the Games Village accommodations. 

Thomas Ceccon is a world record holder in the long course 100 metre backstroke and the short course 4×100 metre freestyle relay swimming. He is also the Italian record holder in the long course 50 metre backstroke and 50 metre butterfly. He is the 2022 World champion in the 100 metre backstroke and 2022 European champion in the 100 metre backstroke and 50 metre butterfly.  At the 2020 Summer Olympics, he won a silver medal in 4×100 metre freestyle relay, a bronze medal in the 4×100 metre medley relay.   metre freestyle. On 29 July 2024 at Paris Olympics,  he won gold for the 100m backstroke in the Paris Olympic Games. 

The image of the Gold medalist sleeping under a tree, shared by Saudi Arabian rower Husein Alireza, showed Ceccon resting on a white towel under a tree. Ceccon, who won gold in the men’s 100m backstroke, publicly criticized the living conditions, citing a lack of air conditioning, poor food quality, and inadequate supplies as major issues. He expressed that many athletes were relocating for these reasons, emphasizing that it was a widespread problem, not an excuse. 

“There is no air conditioning in the village, it’s hot, and the food is bad,” Ceccon told The Sun. “Many athletes move for this reason: it’s not an alibi or an excuse; it’s the reality of what perhaps not everybody knows. Usually, when I’m at home, I always sleep in the afternoon: here I really struggle between the heat and the noise.” 

The International Olympic Committee faced backlash for the absence of air conditioning and the use of cardboard "anti-sex" beds, which were part of their environmental sustainability efforts. Athletes, including Ceccon, complained about the heat, noise, and subpar food, which included insufficient quantities of essential items. The British Olympic Association also reported similar food quality issues.

 

Ceccon's sentiments were echoed by other athletes like Coco Gauff, Ariarne Titmus, and Assia Touati, who also found the accommodations unsuitable. After winning the Olympic gold in the 400m freestyle, Titmus mentioned that better living conditions might have enabled her to break the world record. She criticized the village for not being conducive to high performance. 

Organizers defended the accommodations, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability. The recyclable mattresses and cardboard bed frames were chosen to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. Before the Games, some delegations, including India, had already expressed concerns about the lack of air conditioning, forcing the Indian government to send 40 portable units for their athletes.  

Following his outstanding performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he secured a gold medal in the 100m backstroke and a bronze with the Italian men’s 400m freestyle relay, Thomas Ceccon returned to Italy to a hero’s welcome at Verona airport. Ceccon was the guest of honor at a celebration held in Creazzo, at the Leosport club pool. There, he was greeted by a large crowd of supporters, as well as his parents and lifelong coach, Alberto Burlina, who has been recognized as “Coach of the Year” for both 2022 and 2023.  

In an interview with Anna Perlini of L’Arena, Ceccon shared insights into his future plans, addressing recent rumors of a possible move abroad. “Maybe it will be Australia or maybe America, I have yet to decide,” Ceccon stated, adding that his upcoming trip would not result in a permanent relocation. “In the meantime, I’m going on vacation to enjoy some sea—and if there’s swimming, why not?” Despite his global ambitions, Ceccon emphasized that Verona remains his comfort zone. The departure is not permanent; the training stint abroad will last a few months, after which he plans to return to Italy.  

We can only read about Olympic medals, let us sleep comfortably and well, the least – hit the bed early.

 
With regards – S Sampathkumar
10^th Aug 2024.