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Athlete Video Shows No Cardboard Beds in Milan-Cortina Olympic Village

The TikTok update signals a move away from the cardboard designs that became a viral flashpoint at Tokyo 2020, then resurfaced for Paris 2024.

Overview

  • Phebe Bekker of Team GB posted a TikTok from the Olympic Village showing a sturdy bed frame, saying “there are no cardboard beds” and knocking on the frame while also displaying the mattress.
  • Outlets note the update is based on athlete footage and media reporting rather than a formal confirmation from the organizers.
  • The Tokyo 2020 cardboard beds fueled “anti-sex” rumors later undercut by reporting that Airweave produced frames ordered before the pandemic and rated to support roughly 440 pounds.
  • Beijing 2022 shifted to adjustable smart beds praised for comfort, while Paris 2024 brought back cardboard frames as part of an eco-friendly approach.
  • The Mirror reports Milan-Cortina accommodations use solid wooden frames across the Villages, with early arrivals describing stable setups.