Why are Olympians sleeping on ‘anti-sex’ cardboard beds at Paris Olympics 2024?
‘ANTI-SEX’ beds first seen at Tokyo 2020 are once again being used in this year’s Paris Olympics accomodation.
Here’s everything you need to know about the supposedly sexless sleeping apparatus.
Why are Olympians sleeping on ‘anti-sex’ cardboard beds?
In an effort to prevent the spreading of the virus, an intimacy ban was put in place at the Tokyo 2020 Games due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But although the ban has been lifted by the International Olympic Committee in the run-up to Paris 2024, the beds designed to discourage athletes from getting it on are being used at the games once again.
The recyclable beds, which were first introduced for Tokyo 2020, led to athletes joking that they were only meant to support one person, ruling out romantic encounters.
Some even dubbed them “anti-sex” beds — particularly because they are single frames and potentially not as sturdy as regular ones, despite being able to withstand more than 200kg of weight.
There are countless tales from previous Games of wild sex stories.
Former US footballer Hope Solo reported seeing people “having sex right out in the open, on the grass, between buildings”.
2012 Team GB ace and former Premier League footballer Micah Richards also gave his insight into what went on behind the scenes.
He told the Rest is Football podcast: “It was the party of all parties. You got all the different athletes, all sorts of different specimens in there.
“We were there for three nights, we went training, come back to the village, them three nights we were up to 4am.
“You have different campuses, Team GB in one block, Brazil, France, all these countries, and there’s a massive big room full of condoms!
“It was like what, obviously promoting safe sex, and honest to God, I was on fire.
“I was on absolute fire, honestly. I was a little slimmer, a bit more ripped, bit more lean, it was summer time, walking around with my top off.
No [the beds] pass the test. It’s fake, it’s fake news!
Rhys McClenaghan
“There was multiple gold medals, one of the best times of my life, it was incredible.”
Who created the cardboard beds?
The beds, which are completely recyclable with cardboard frames and mattresses, were designed and produced by Airweave.
President and CEO of the company Motokuni Takaoka said: “Airweave is proud to join the Paris 2024 partners’ family.
“The bedding we provided to the athletes’ village at the last Tokyo 2020 Games was highly appreciated by athletes from around the world.
“With this track record, we are now ready to provide bedding for athlete’s village at Paris 2024.
“We will produce the cardboard bed frames in France, after the games, recycle them in France, and donate the mattress and pillows for second-life in France as well.
“We promise to contribute to the Paris 2024 sustainability goals through our social good bedding.”
What have Olympians said about the beds?
Irish athlete Rhys McClenaghan made a short video testing out the durability of the beds in the Olympic Village.
The gymnast was able to perform several different techniques to help him deliver an informed verdict.
McClenaghan jumped up and down and did his utmost to destroy the cardboard beds, but to no avail — ultimately deciding the claim that they’re ‘anti-sex- beds’ is untrue.
The two-time pommel horse world champion said: “I’m at the Paris Olympic Games and they once again have these cardboard anti-sex beds.
“When I tested them last time they withstood my testing, but maybe I wasn’t rigorous enough.”
McClenaghan carried out further tests before coming to the conclusion: “No they pass the test. It’s fake, it’s fake news!”
British four-time Olympic medalist gymnast Louis Smith replied saying: “Who needs an anti-sex bed when you have the floor ”
Diver Tom Daily also also tested out the sleeping apparatus while he prepared for his fifth Olympic Games.
The gold medallist, 30, posted a clip showing him bouncing on it, concluding that the beds are “pretty sturdy”.