Controversy Over 'Cardboard Beds' in Tokyo Olympic Village: "What If Someone Urinates on Them?"

US Long-Distance Runner Paul Chelimo: "You Have to Practice Sleeping on the Ground"
"If Someone Pees on My Bed and the Cardboard Bed Gets Wet, It Will Collapse"
Japanese Media: "The Goal Is to Use Eco-Friendly Materials, but If It Also Prevents COVID Infection by Discouraging Sexual Activity, It's Killing Two Birds with One Stone"

American track and field athlete Paul Chelimo posted a critique titled "Before and After" about the "cardboard beds" in the Tokyo Olympic Village. Photo by Paul Chelimo (Twitter capture)

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] An American track and field athlete participating in the Tokyo Olympics expressed dissatisfaction with the 'cardboard beds' provided in the Olympic Village.

On the 17th, American long-distance runner Paul Chelimo posted a photo of the cardboard bed prepared by the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee in the athlete village along with a crushed box on his social media (SNS), tweeting "Before and after." This appears to be a criticism of the effectiveness of the cardboard bed.

Photo by Paul Chelimo, Twitter capture

He said, "If someone urinates on my bed and the cardboard bed gets wet, the bed will collapse," adding, "It could be the worst especially on the night before the finals." He continued, "I need to start practicing how to sleep on the ground," and lamented, "If I haven't trained to sleep on the ground, I'm basically done."

Additionally, he expressed discomfort, saying, "I feel more stressed in Tokyo."

Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics opening on the 23rd of this month, the Olympic Organizing Committee produced cardboard beds measuring 90 cm in width and 210 cm in length, made from recyclable materials. This was not only an environmentally conscious choice but also a decision made to prevent two or more athletes from sharing a bed as a COVID-19 precaution. The bed was designed to support a weight of about 200 kg.

In response, Chelimo added, "For long-distance runners, four people could fit, so it shouldn't be a problem." This seems to be a satirical remark referring to runners being lighter compared to athletes in other sports.

Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan jumping on the controversial 'cardboard bed' inside the Tokyo Olympic Village / Video captured from Rhys McClenaghan's SNS

On the other hand, Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan posted a video on his Twitter showing himself jumping on the bed to prove its sturdiness. McClenaghan said, "There are rumors that this bed was made of cardboard to be 'anti-sex.' It looks like it would collapse if there is vigorous movement, but that is fake news."

Later, the official Tokyo Olympics Twitter account shared McClenaghan’s post, stating, "Thank you for exposing the false rumors. The sustainable bed is sturdy."

Meanwhile, on the 19th, Japan’s Tokyo Sports reported that the cardboard beds used in the Tokyo Olympic Village are being perceived overseas as 'anti-sex' devices, creating a peculiar phenomenon. In an article titled "Tokyo Olympics Phenomenon," it added, "Originally, the purpose of the cardboard beds was to use environmentally friendly recyclable materials, but if preventing sexual activity also helps prevent COVID-19 infection, isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.