The controversial cardboard beds, first introduced at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, have resurfaced in the spotlight amid complaints from athletes at the Paris 2024 Games. Initially designed to discourage intimacy during the post-Covid period, these beds have faced criticism for their discomfort.
A recent Instagram video has added fuel to the debate. In the clip, an athlete expresses frustration with the beds, calling them “s***.” The video, captioned “More news on BedGate 2024,” shows the athlete lamenting the hard surface of the beds. It also features a segment from Australian water polo player Tilly Kearns, who notes that Olympians from Australia have been provided with mattress toppers to mitigate the issue.
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The video has garnered over 3.6 million views and stirred a considerable response online. Many users questioned how athletes could perform at their best when deprived of proper sleep. Comments included, “Can you imagine the kind of performance we would get from athletes if they actually got a proper night’s sleep now?” and “How are these athletes supposed to perform when they sleep on shoe boxes?”
Some suggested alternative uses for the beds, such as donating them to those in need. Others criticized the decision to use such beds, with one user remarking, “Whoever thought this was a good idea needs to get fired.”
The cardboard beds were conceived as an eco-friendly option by the Tokyo 2021 Olympic organizing committee, with the idea of using recyclable materials. Takashi Kitajima, general manager of the Tokyo Athletes Village, explained that the beds are designed to support up to 200 kg. The Paris 2024 organizers have continued with this design, sparking ongoing debate about their practicality and comfort.
