"Can't Sleep on This Hard Bed"... Swedish Players Buy Mattress at IKEA

Arranging Separate Restaurants and Changing Accommodations

Athletes from various countries participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics are currently adapting to the Olympic Village.

"Missing IKEA Mattresses"... Swedish Athletes Bring Their National Brand Furniture

Corrugated cardboard beds in the Paris Olympic Village.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The Swedish women's handball team complained that the mattresses in the Olympic Village were too hard, so they rushed to IKEA's Paris store to buy new mattresses, according to reports by daily Le Figaro and CNews on the 27th (local time).

After spending one night on the cardboard beds, they immediately decided to replace the mattresses. Player Jamina Robert said in an interview, "The problem is not the cardboard bed frame. It fits me perfectly. The problem is the hard mattress. New products take some time to soften, but we couldn't wait for that. We want to sleep well from the start."

The Paris Olympic Organizing Committee provided the 'cardboard beds' to athletes, first introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with an eco-friendly theme. The beds were reinforced for durability compared to those used in Tokyo, able to support up to 250 kg. To verify the durability of these beds, athletes posted videos testing their performance in various ways as soon as they arrived at the Olympic Village. This trend became known as the 'Cardboard Bed Challenge.'

Thomas Daly checking the performance of the cardboard bed for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
[Image source=Instagram capture]

British diver Thomas Daley posted a video on his Instagram where he tapped the bed frame with his hand, stomped and jumped on the bed to test its durability, and said, "As you can see, it's very sturdy."

Eco-Friendly Diet Leaves No Chicken Left When Crowds Gather

Thomas Bach, IOC President, serving food at the 2024 Paris Olympic Village dining hall
Photo by AP Yonhap News

Complaints from British athletes erupted over the food. Andy Anson, head of the British Olympic Association (BOA), pointed out the quality issues of the Olympic Village food, saying, "There are problems with food quality at the Paris Olympics. Eggs, chicken, and certain carbohydrates are insufficient, and the meat provided to athletes was served raw," as reported by The Times on the 26th. He added, "Dramatic improvements need to be made within a few days." He also said, "British athletes are eating at a training facility near the Olympic Village arranged separately by the UK," and "Due to higher than expected food demand, additional chefs are being brought in from the UK."

The Paris Olympic Organizing Committee announced plans to increase the proportion of vegetarian meals in the Olympic Village diet to reduce the 'carbon footprint.' Because of this, as Anson pointed out, chicken and eggs appear to be insufficient for the athletes' consumption.

One British athlete said, "At the Paris Olympics, people flock to the dining hall simultaneously," adding, "During peak times, you might not even get a piece of chicken."

Shuttle Buses Without Air Conditioning and Windows That Can't Be Opened

The shuttle buses provided by the organizing committee also came under criticism. The buses reportedly have no air conditioning, and windows cannot be opened due to anti-terrorism measures. This is especially tough for athletes whose body temperatures rise after exercise. The Korea Swimming Federation moved athletes' accommodations to a location within a five-minute walk from the competition venue, La D?fense Arena.