Australian bronze medallist Harry Garside has weighed in on the inclusion of “no humping beds” at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“Anti-sex” beds have been installed in the athletes village in a rumoured attempt to deter athletes from being intimate during the Olympics.
Event organisers denied reports the beds were made in an effort to ban intimacy in the village, claiming they have opted to take a more environmentally friendly option.
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According to Inside the Games, the beds were made out of “high resistance lightweight cardboard”, with the frames and mattresses set to be recycled at the competition’s conclusion.
The design has been heavily criticised by the public and athletes, with many questioning why athletes are not provided with higher quality furnishings considering the nature of the prestigious event.
Garside revealed the beds have been manufactured to collapse if a certain weight limit is reached.
“They put in the no humping beds,” Garside said on Triple M’s Rush Hour with JB and Billy.
“If you go over a certain weight, the bed collapses, so they’re no-sex beds.
“So there is a humping bed then?” Billy Brownless asked.
“I dunno… there is for the bigger fellas maybe but not for us younger ones,” the boxing star laughed.
Despite the manufacturing reasoning behind the beds in Paris, Garside said he remains optimistic that he and the Australia boxing team will be successful in Paris.
“It’s pretty wild. We’ve only had five medallists (at the Olympics in boxing) so far. And I truly believe that this team is going to be one of the strongest teams we’ve seen,” he said.
“I think there’s a number of people, providing a good draw and providing good performances, that are capable of winning medals. And I really hope that we’re capable of winning a gold medal.
“We don’t get a choice of who we fight. You can’t prepare for anyone, you have to prepare for everyone.”
Garside became the first Australian boxer to win an Olympic medal in more than 30 years when he claimed the bronze medal in the light welterweight in Tokyo.
When asked who inspired his commitment and determination to succeed at the Olympics, the 26-year-old credited swimming great Grant Hackett.
“When I was seven, I watched Grant Hackett win the 1500m metre final in 2004. It was a great moment and my whole family was captivated by that moment,” he said.
“He won a gold medal, not a bronze medal. I think that sold out on (me) as a young kid.
“I was inspired by Grant Hackett and me going back to the Olympics to try and do what no Australian has ever done makes me feel more connected to that young kid.
“I always said to myself that the natural progression after turning professional would be winning a medal (at the Olympics).
“I was hoping for a gold medal … but something was missing.”
Garside will compete in a new weight category as he attempts to make Australian history.
“It’s 500 grams lighter, which I’m stoked about,” Garside said on the change.
“Last Olympics it was 63 but now it’s 63.5. I’m actually stoked about that.
“I was dying to make 63, where 63.5 is manageable.”