Boxer Harry Garside firmly debunks Olympic ‘anti-sex’ bed plan

Supposed “anti-sex” beds raised eyebrows at the Paris Games, now Harry Garside has lifted the lid on what really took place.

Boxer Harry Garside has firmly debunked rumours that swirled about the supposed “anti-sex” beds installed at the Paris Olympic village.

Paris 2024 chiefs had special beds made for use in the Olympic village during the event, which were made out of cardboard and boasted completely recyclable frames and mattresses.

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The idea was said to be an attempt to prevent athletes from getting too hot and bothered during the Olympics, while also prioritising sustainability.

The unusual materials led some to dub them “anti-sex” beds, particularly as they were single frames and potentially not as sturdy as regular beds.

But Garside, 27, declared the “anti-sex” dream failed miserably and the beds were just fine.

Harry Garside had high expectations heading into the Paris Games. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images for AOC)

Garside, a bronze medallist from the Tokyo Olympics, was devastated after suffering a first-round defeat in Paris to end his goal of more silverware for Australia.

But the former plumber managed to pick himself up and said he was able to enjoy himself after his competition came to an end.

While Garside revealed last month he’s madly in love with a new partner, he had it on good authority the beds functioned just fine, as he told radio show Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommy.

“Did you get a chance to party at the Olympics?” a host asked Garside.

“Did I ever (laughs), I was out quite early,” he said. ”So I planned on being in comp for the whole time, boxing goes for the two weeks.

“I was out early so I had 10 days of eating bad food – I put on like 10 kilos in about 7 days eating bad food, red wine, having plenty of beers with my dad.”

Harry Garside and the Paris beds getting a work out. Photos: NewsWire/Instagram

Garside fended off a question about dating apps, reiterating he’s “got a partner now” before the chat took a twist.

“Are there as many athletes rooting in the village as we think?” came a fresh question.

“I think so. Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he replied.

“And from the reports from others, the beds are all right?” came a follow-up question.

“The beds are fine. I’m telling you right now, the beds are fine,” Garside replied to more laughter.

So consider that goal from the Paris organisers an abject failure.

A whopping 300,000 condoms were made available for free for the 9,000 athletes in Paris, which was enough for each to have two per day throughout the Games, which ran from July 26 to August 11.

And after the restrictions from the Covid-impacted Tokyo Games in 2021, it seems the world’s top sports stars took full advantage, despite the single beds.

Garside struggled in the aftermath of his shock defeat. Photo: Michael Klein

Having given up his professional boxing status to chase gold at the 2024 Games, Garside’s sudden defeat in his first fight to Hungarian Richard Kovacs left the Aussie totally shattered.

The Hungarian rubbed salt in the wound by goading the Aussie in the final round of the three-round bout.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Today show afterwards, the Victorian was struggling to compute what had happened.

“When we go through hard things, we dissociate and distract and it feels like a nightmare,” he said.

“I feel like I’m just waiting to wake up. It doesn’t feel real yet.”

It’s good to see him now back in top spirits, even if he wasn’t one of the athletes fully testing out those beds.

Originally published as Boxer Harry Garside firmly debunks Olympic ‘anti-sex’ bed plan