Athletes at Tokyo Olympics 'given anti-sex' beds to limit spread of coronavirus

Athletes at Tokyo's Olympic village have been given "anti-sex" beds to discourage them from any contact that could spread coronavirus.

The beds are reportedly made of cardboard and are apparently only designed to take the weight of one person, meaning they would break if anyone tried to share them.

Concerns of COVID spreading through the athletes' village are continuing after six British track and field athletes and two staff members were forced to isolate after being identified as close contacts to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 on their flight to Japan, the British Olympic Association (BOA) confirmed on Sunday.

American athlete Paul Chelimo shared pictures of the "anti-sex beds" in a series of tweets, writing: "Beds to be installed in Tokyo Olympic Village will be made of cardboard, this is aimed at avoiding intimacy among athletes.

"Beds will be able to withstand the weight of a single person to avoid situations beyond sports. I see no problem for distance runners, even 4 of us can do..."

Read more: Businesses announce more closures ahead of freedom day as ‘pingdemic’ chaos continues

He went on to add: "At this point I will have to start practicing how to sleep on the floor; cause If my bed collapses and I have no training on sleeping on the floor i’m done.

"More added stress heading into Tokyo!"

Watch: COVID cases in athletes' village puts pressure on IOC

The games are already set to take place behind closed doors amid a rise in COVID cases in Tokyo.

On Sunday, a statement from the BOA said: "The British Olympic Association can confirm that six athletes and two staff members from the athletics team, who through no fault of their own have been identified as close contacts of an individual – not from the Team GB delegation – who tested positive for COVID-19 on their inbound flight on 15 July 2021.

Along with the cardboard beds, which can also be recycled after the Olympics are over, athletes have been warned to avoid close contact with each other.

They have also reportedly been told to avoid using free, branded condoms traditionally given out ahead of the games to encourage safe sex among athletes and instead should take them home.

Watch: How the world could be better after COVID