TRENDING: The funniest reviews about the cardboard beds at the Olympic Village
Upon their arrival in Paris, athletes are already giving fans a front-row seat to Olympic Village life through social media.
We've seen what the apartments look like, and what they're offering inside the grocery store and dining facilities, all because the athletes are sharing every detail of their experience. But one detail that particularly piqued the interest of viewers is the infamous cardboard beds.
The cardboard beds introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics sparked debate. Rumors about their design, dubbed "anti-sex beds," ignited speculation about their intended purpose. Many questioned whether the beds were intentionally constructed to deter athletes from engaging in intimate relations.
According to the organizers, the cardboard bed comprises three modules, allowing athletes to choose the firmness of the mattress and extend it based on their size. The assembled bed also featured the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic duvet on each other side.
Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, the 100% French-made beds will undergo complete recycling within the country post-Games.
Take a look at the funniest reviews by the athletes about the Olympic beds.
'Pretty sturdy'
Tom Daley, a popular British springboard diver and TV personality, hilariously debunked the "anti-sex" idea when he shared his review in an Instagram video.
"There is always a lot of talk about the beds in the Olympic Village, so here is what they look like!" he wrote in the caption.
Daley showcased the beds' sturdiness by jumping on top of one adorned with the French phrase "Rêvez vos exploits de demain," which translates to "Dream about your achievements of tomorrow."
He confidently stated, "As you can see, they're pretty sturdy!" seemingly implying that the beds are durable enough for sleeping and other activities.
This also rings true for Irish Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, who also went viral during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when he dispelled rumors that the beds were constructed to "break at any sudden movement. During that time, he said it was "fake news."
In his recent TikTok video, he vigorously jumps, runs, performs step-ups, and executes various gymnastics routines on the bed.
Vincent Leygonie, a South African cyclist, performed impressive BMX tricks on the bed. Following his test, he confirmed that the beds were high quality, describing them as "pretty good."
'6 out 10'
Libbie Janse van Rensburg, a rugby union player from South Africa, recently asked her teammates to share their feedback on the cardboard beds. A few rated it 1-2, saying the beds were hard.
Kicking your toe on the Olympic cardboard bed, does it hurt?
Kicking your toe on a bed, especially if it's a solid or heavy frame, can hurt. The impact on your toe can cause sharp pain and sometimes lead to bruising or sprain. However, Australian cyclist Natalya Diehm decided to put the Olympic cardboard beds to the ultimate test. In a viral video, she willingly sacrificed her pinky toe to determine if these beds could actually inflict pain.
"Beds are weaker than a house made of cards compared to my toes," she wrote.
@natalyadiehm Beds are weaker than a house made of cards compared to my toes 💪🏽 #olympic #bed #cardboard #village #fyp #foryou #trending ♬ original sound - Natalya Diehm
The Olympic Village, which provides a supportive and inclusive environment where athletes can focus on their performances, becomes the athletes' home away from home during the period. It is the central hub for athletes during the Games, providing them with accommodation, dining facilities, training areas, and various amenities.
According to its website, the Village will extend across parts of three cities: Saint-Denis, Saint Ouen, and L'Île-Saint-Denis. It has been designed to house 14,250 athletes during the Olympic Games and 8,000 during the Paralympic Games. Additionally, it will provide up to 60,000 meals daily and will have a fully operational medical clinic available for the athletes.
The 2024 Paris Olympics, which run from July 26 to Aug. 11 in France, will be composed of 32 sports, with around 10,500 athletes from all over the world competing. Of the events, 28 are returning, while four are new, namely, sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing, and breaking.