For the second consecutive summer Olympics, athletes at the Paris 2024 Games will rest on cardboard beds.
According to reports, these cardboard beds, first introduced at Tokyo 2020, return as an eco-friendly option in the Olympic Village.
Athletes can adjust the beds to fit their size and choose the mattress firmness, demonstrated in a video shared on the Olympics YouTube channel.
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The eco-friendly beds, entirely produced in France, will be fully recycled post-Games, according to Olympic organizers.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Virginia-based neurologist Dr. Chris Winter, who serves as a sleep adviser for Mattress Firm and consults for U.S. major-league sports, shared his thoughts on the sleeping conditions.
A general overview of a cardboard bed utilized by athletes at the Olympic Village in Paris. (Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
“Although I was not involved in the planning for the French Olympics, I believe the cardboard bed aligns well with the overall theme of the Games being ‘more responsible, more inclusive, and more equal,'” he remarked.
“For Olympic athletes like swimmers, weightlifters, or gymnasts, waking up with a strain in their back could be detrimental.”
Winter pointed out that past Olympic Games have resulted in “significant amounts of waste.”
The cardboard beds offer an economical solution that is also “much gentler on the environment,” he explained.
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“Post-Games, organizers won’t have the burden of deciding what to do with thousands of standard twin beds,” Winter stated, suggesting this leads to considerable cost savings.
Uniform beds also provide all athletes with a “performance edge” regarding sleep, according to the expert.
U.S. gymnast Simon Biles yawns before performing her uneven bars routine during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on July 30, 2024. The cardboard bed is visible on the right. (Getty Images)
“The likelihood of the beds breaking more easily when jumped on or if several athletes are on them could serve as an unintentional method to control behavior,” he added.
“Moreover, if an enthusiastic athlete decides to toss theirs out the window, potential damage and risk are greatly reduced.”
Health Risks Involved
While there are advantages to using cardboard beds, Winter emphasized that they could also present certain health risks for athletes.
“For athletes like swimmers, weightlifters, or gymnasts, waking up with a strain could be catastrophic,” he said.
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Winter pointed out that even a moment’s distraction could be critical for athletes. “Lilly King missed a breaststroke medal by a mere 1/100th of a second. Could a cardboard bed be held accountable? Absolutely,” he stated, sharing his views.
A subpar night’s sleep might inflict psychological stress on athletes, he warned.
The cardboard beds — seen here without sheets and covers — can be extended to accommodate all Olympic athletes. (Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Chafen Watkins Hart, M.D., a sleep specialist at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, emphasized the significance of optimal sleep for athletes.
“Adapting to a new environment, including a different bed, can be overwhelming, especially with jet lag and the pressure of competition,” she informed Fox News Digital.
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Reports suggest that the mattresses used this time are improved from those employed in Tokyo but remain “quite firm,” Hart noted.
“Generally, it seems the materials are washable and reusable, which is primarily why they are utilized for thousands of athletes in the village,” she said.
Ilona Maher from the U.S. is pursued by Brazil’s Gabriela Lima during a women’s rugby match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 28, 2024. (CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)
For some athletes, a mattress that is excessively firm can lead to muscle soreness, Hart cautioned, while others might prefer that level of firmness.
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Hart also highlighted that factors such as temperature and living arrangements can negatively impact athletes’ sleep.
“The accommodations lack air conditioning, and numerous athletes are resorting to personal portable units,” she noted.
If athletes do not feel they are sleeping ‘properly,’ the consequences may be severe, a sleep expert stated. (Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
“Sleeping in a hot and humid setting can significantly disrupt sleep, leading to increased awakenings during the night and deeper insomnia,” she warned.
Athletes may also be paired with random roommates who may have dissimilar sleep habits.
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“A night owl will likely not appreciate sharing a room with an early riser,” Hart remarked.
“Similarly, someone accustomed to sleeping in a quiet, dark environment may struggle with a roommate who prefers to play music and keep the lights on.”
The mattress provided for athletes in Paris can be flipped to adjust its firmness, as stated by the Olympics. (Gao Jing/Xinhua via Getty Images)
For optimal sleep, Winter recommends athletes to bring their personal pillows and strive to keep the room cool.
He also suggests packing items that evoke a sense of home, such as a loved one’s pillowcase, favorite nighttime tea, stuffed animals, sleep masks, or posters.
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“Making the Parisian accommodations feel homely can provide a substantial benefit,” he advised.
Hart concurred, emphasizing that familiar scents, soothing music, and communication with loved ones can alleviate anxiety regarding sleeping in unfamiliar or uncomfortable settings.
Fox News Digital reached out to the International Olympic Committee for a comment.
