The Olympic Village has always been about more than competition, medals, and record-breaking performances. While the world’s top athletes come together to represent their countries on the biggest stage in sports, life inside the Village has long carried a reputation of its own once events wrap up for the day.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina officially get underway, athletes are settling into their temporary accommodations — and one noticeable upgrade is already generating conversation.
Cardboard Beds Are Officially Gone
For many competitors, the Olympic experience extends beyond what happens on the slopes, rinks, and tracks.
During the Tokyo Olympics, the athlete housing became an unexpected viral moment after organizers introduced lightweight cardboard bed frames. Online, they were quickly labeled “anti-sex beds,” despite officials insisting the design choice was about sustainability, not discouraging personal interactions.
In 2026, however, athletes are enjoying a very different setup. The beds in the Milan-Cortina Olympic Village are sturdier, more traditional, and designed for comfort — a welcome change for competitors recovering from intense physical performances.
British ice dancer Phebe Bekker confirmed the update in a lighthearted TikTok video shortly after arriving.
“I just arrived at the Olympic Village, and I think it’s time to answer a question everyone’s been asking,” she said, before adding with a smile, “There are no cardboard beds. At least, not that I’ve seen.”
Why the Olympic Village Has a Reputation
The Olympic Village has developed a playful reputation over decades, and athletes themselves are often candid about why. Thousands of elite competitors — typically in their 20s and 30s — live together in one place, fueled by adrenaline, national pride, and the intensity of global competition.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. At the Sydney 2000 Olympics, organizers reportedly stocked 70,000 condoms for athletes — and still ran out. Since then, Olympic planners have increased supplies, with an estimated 100,000 distributed at each Games to promote health and safety.
Several athletes have openly discussed Village life over the years. In a past interview, U.S. alpine skier Laurenne Ross joked about how social the environment can be, while skeleton racer John Daly once summed it up simply: elite athletes, peak fitness, and high energy naturally create connections.
Paralympic skier Andrew Kurka famously described the provided protection as “Olympic strong,” while sled hockey player Rico Roman offered a familiar motto: what happens in the Olympic Village stays there.
More Than Just Athlete Housing
While the lighter moments often grab headlines, the Milano Olympic and Paralympic Village is also part of a long-term urban development plan.
Built on a former railway site, the Village is scheduled to be transformed into student housing after the Games conclude, turning the Olympic investment into a lasting benefit for the local community.
Athletes may enjoy perks like high-quality facilities, unlimited food options, and modern accommodations, but most remain laser-focused on performance. For them, the Village is ultimately a place to recover, prepare, and compete at the highest level in international sports.
Still, after days filled with high-speed downhill runs, precision skating, and physically demanding events, it’s understandable that athletes value downtime as well.
Olympic glory by day, unforgettable experiences by night — that balance has always been part of the Olympic Village story.