Cardboard Beds - Olympic Games Controversial Eco-Sleep

By: TomAugust 7, 2024

Sustainability, Not Sex Deterrent Top Priority at 2024 Games 

The 2024 games in France have seen the return of cardboard beds to the Olympic village. First introduced at the 2024 games in Tokyo, these somewhat controversial sleeping arrangements caused quite a stir. While designed to be a green, sustainable housing alternative, their actual intention was first met with much skepticism. Many believed that these lightweight, rather flimsy looking beds were intended to discourage promiscuity among athletes residing at the village. While concerns over the possible spread of coronavirus throughout the village were real, the no sex bed rumors were totally fictional. With the negative, non warranted hype now debunked, the true eco-friendly purpose of these beds has come more into focus. French made, 100% biodegradable cardboard beds used at the 2024 Olympics will be recycled immediately after the Olympics. This is important to understand because the Olympic games have a dubious reputation for wastefulness. Most of what is typically used is thrown away and ends up in landfills. Reducing the Olympic carbon footprint is the ultimate goal, just as it was in the Japan games.. Of course, this time, Olympic officials hope that message resonates more clearly.

Design Features of Carboard Beds

Paris Olympic Cardboard Bed Overview
This year's Olympic games have found yet another usage for artificial intelligence. Each Athlete will be body scanned using AI technology to determine proper support and presumably comfort preference. Japanese made Airweave mattresses have three flippable modules with one side firm and the other plush. 
Depending on scanned body image results, athletes will be instructed to position modules accordingly. Early feedback indicates actual comfort results have mixed reviews. Yet, that is not surprising given the wide range of body types participating in these events. The now infamous cardboard beds that support the mattresses can be adjusted to accommodate individual heights. They also are built to support up to 440 lbs., putting to bed any notion they were intended to prohibit intimacy between athletes.
    Olympic athletes

What Olympic Athletes are Saying about Cardboard Beds

Athletes Test Cardboard Bed Strength
Athletes at the Paris games are all too familiar with the controversy surrounding their unique sleeping arrangements. Many were quick to take to social media to express their thoughts and opinions. The majority overwhelmingly confirmed that these beds were as sturdy as advertised. Some even went as far as performing acrobatics on the beds to validate their conclusions. How, comfortable the beds got mixed reviews. But overall, they were well received with few complaints.
    synchronized swimmers

Final Thoughts:

The Olympics' are well known for over the top,excessive padentry. As a result, the games have also gained a well deserved reputation for wastefulness. A major factor in Paris winning the bid for the 2024 Olympics was its ambitious plans to shrink the event's carbon footprint. The Paris committee pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to previous games. While recyclable beds were certainly a part of this eco-friendly effort, The 2024 Olympics made many other significant strides to reduce the games environmental impact. All venues are using 100% renewable energy from wind and solar, not diesel generators.

It will be interesting to see if cardboard beds reappear in the Los Angels games in 2028. California prides itself on its eco-friendly initiatives. But, while the state has made much progress in the last few decades, LA remains one of the most polluted cities in America. We'll find out how much progress can be made in four years. The French have done much to raise the bar for 2028.
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