‘It’s sturdy’, assure Tokyo Olympic organisers after ‘anti-sex’ bed claims spark a row

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, July 19

Reports of ‘Anti-sex’ beds at Tokyo Olympic Village have triggered a row with players making claims and counter claims on micro-blogging sites even as the organizers re-assuring that the beds are `sturdy’.

The controversy broke out after a tweet by US distance runner Paul Chelimo who said the cardboard beds were “aimed at avoiding intimacy among athletes” to promote social distancing in view of Covid-19 guidelines. He even tweeted the photographs on his Twitter account.

Also read: ‘Anti-sex’ beds at Tokyo Olympics to prevent athletes from getting intimate with one another

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Hours later, Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan came up with a `rebuttal’. He filmed himself jumping repeatedly on a bed to prove the point that the beds were `safe’. “The beds are meant to be anti-sex. They’re made out of cardboard, yes, but apparently they’re meant to break with sudden movements. It’s fake — fake news!” McClenaghan said in the video posted on Twitter.

The official Olympics Twitter account thanked McLenaghan for “debunking the myth”, adding “the sustainable beds are sturdy!” . “Thanks for debunking the myth. You heard it first from @TeamIreland gymnast @McClenaghanRhys – the sustainable cardboard beds are sturdy!’’ the organisers tweeted.

Thousands of athletes are staying at the Olympic Village during the pandemic-delayed 2020 Tokyo Games, which start on Friday.