The Paris 2024 Olympics have rekindled the controversy over anti-sex beds, a measure initially implemented in Tokyo, rumoured to be intended to curb athlete promiscuity. These beds, made of cardboard, have been the subject of much speculation. Now, athletes and social media have fueled this debate, which traces its roots to a specific episode Brazil will never forget.

One must go back to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where a sexual scandal involving Brazilian diver Ingrid Oliveira and rower Pedro Goncalves garnered significant media attention. Oliveira recounted that although news of their encounters leaked and reached the Brazilian Olympic Committee, her impeccable record allowed her to continue competing. However, the situation subjected her to a “painful public scrutiny."

Oliveira is not alone in admitting that sexual relationships are common in the Olympic Village. To justify her actions, she mentioned the famous sprinter Usain Bolt, who was also involved in similar situations without receiving as much media attention.

"They distributed an impressive number of condoms in the Olympic Village. Were they for making balloons? Bolt brought a girl without credentials to his room, and many used Tinder. But those cases didn’t get leaked," Oliveira remarked, frustrated by the injustice she experienced and still experiences to a lesser extent today.

The phenomenon of 'Olympic sex' is neither new nor surprising. Former Olympic athlete Susen Tiedtke also spoke about the inevitability of sex at the Games. “Athletes are in their best physical condition at the Olympics. When the competition ends, they want to release their energy,” Tiedtke explained.

Supporting intimate relationships, sex therapist Tammy Nelson added, “It’s natural for athletes, after competing and releasing endorphins, to feel an increase in their sexual desire.”

Tired of these recurring issues, the International Olympic Committee decided to implement anti-sex beds in Tokyo 2020 as an experiment, and now in Paris 2024 as a definitive measure. These beds, made of cardboard, are rumoured to support the weight of only one person, which has generated skepticism and criticism among athletes.

However, some athletes have taken the initiative to debunk these rumours. Olympic medalist Tom Daley and Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan posted videos on their social media demonstrating the beds’ resistance and functionality. “For those wondering about the cardboard beds in the village,” says Daley in an Instagram Reel, “I’ll show you what they’re like.”

In a key experiment to test their durability, the Team GB diver jumps on the bed (without the frame moving an inch) to demonstrate how much movement they can withstand. “As you can see, they’re quite sturdy,” he says. This is a sentiment echoed by McClenaghan, who concluded his own rigorous test by stating that “the beds pass the test” and that it is “false that they can’t support weight.”

As athletes arrive in Paris, the controversy over anti-sex beds remains, although concerns about their functionality have largely been dispelled. “It’s false!” McClenaghan exclaimed, referencing the rumour about the fragility of the structure while jumping and smiling on his bed.

Despite efforts to control behavior in the Olympic Village, the aura surrounding the "City of Love" may encourage athletes to continue their traditions, regardless of the measures implemented.

Some have even ventured to reveal that it is believed that there will be more than 300,000 condoms available in the Olympic Village and that the famous Durex brand will give 20 to each athlete.