‘Rock hard’: Olympians order mattress toppers for eco cardboard beds

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🗞️ Driving the news: Athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics are experiencing discomfort with the eco-friendly cardboard beds in the Olympic Village
• Complaints range from back pain to general discomfort, prompting some athletes to seek alternative sleeping arrangements

🔭 The context: The cardboard beds, first introduced at the Tokyo 2021 Games, are designed to be sustainable, being fully recyclable and made from locally sourced materials
• They are part of Paris's broader efforts to host a 'green' Olympics, which also includes using recycled materials for furniture and reducing carbon emissions

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: These beds are intended to reduce the carbon footprint of the Games by using recyclable materials and minimizing waste
• They align with the Olympic Committee's goal to cut total CO2 emissions by half compared to previous Games

⏭️ What's next: Despite their eco-friendly design, the discomfort has led some athletes to bring in additional bedding or stay off-site, raising questions about balancing sustainability with athlete comfort
• The feedback may influence future decisions on sustainable accommodations in large events

💬 One quote: "Their use helps us reach our goals to divide total CO2 emissions by half compared to the previous Games," said a Paris 2024 spokesperson

📈 One stat: More than 2,500 portable air-conditioning units were ordered by teams due to high temperatures, despite initial plans to avoid air-conditioning in the Village

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