Harry Garside has officially confirmed the worst-kept secret in international athletics: countless Olympians had sex on their single cardboard beds in Paris.
During the wide-ranging interview about his early departure in the first week of the Games, the Australian boxer said the notorious ‘anti-sex’ beds in the Olympic Village had not deterred any sexual activity.
“I’m telling you, the beds are fine!” he told Hit Network’s Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little.
The cardboard beds in the Olympic Village made their debut at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo and were quickly dubbed the “anti-sex beds.”
There were rumors that cardboard was used to prevent athletes from becoming intimate with each other in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Carrie then asked Harry about his first round loss in the men’s 63.5kg boxing event.
It took just nine minutes for the bronze medalist from Tokyo to see his lifelong dream of taking home a gold medal shattered.
Emotionally broken, Garside walked away from the ring to a quiet corner and collapsed, sobbing deeply.
The boxer subsequently apologised to Australia, saying he felt like a “failure”.
Harry Garside (pictured) has officially confirmed the worst kept secret in world athletics: many Olympians were making out on their single cardboard beds in Paris
During the wide-ranging interview about his early departure in the first week of the Games, the Australian boxer said the notorious ‘anti-sex’ beds in the Olympic Village had not deterred any sexual activity
“Did you get a chance to party during the Olympics?” she asked.
“Have I ever done that?” Garside laughed.
‘I was out quite early, so I planned to be in competition the whole time, boxing is for the two weeks. I was out early, so I ate badly for ten days.’
“I gained 10 kilos in about 7 days from bad food, red wine and lots of beer with my dad,” he continued.
Garside could not hide his sadness when his 20-year-old dream was shattered in just nine minutes at the Olympic Games.
The 27-year-old Garside lost in the round of 16 by unanimous decision to Hungary’s Richard Kovacs, a surprise result given that the Victorian had won bronze in Tokyo and was aiming for gold this time.
The popular boxer had to cut short his media work after initially saying he had let his country down.
“I feel like a failure,” Garside said.
‘It’s a wild sport, after three years it’s already over… I feel very numb, I didn’t expect this to happen.
“I love Australia and I really expected to win that gold medal for Australia.”
“I’m telling you now, the beds are fine!” he told Hit Network’s Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little
Harry Garside pictured during his first round fight at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which he lost to Hungarian Richard Kovacs
Garside, who has been open about his mental health struggles, previously admitted in an interview with Nine that he is worried about the coming months as he comes to terms with his defeat.
‘I feel pretty numb right now, but I think the next month or two are going to be quite challenging and tough.
‘I’m scared of my mind, it’s taking over and I feel like I’ve let a few people down. But what do you do?’
‘Australia is such a sporting country and I regret that very much.
‘I feel like a failure right now. I don’t even know what to say.
“I know that athletes just have to say the right thing right now and I’m very grateful for that, but deep down I fear for what the next few months will bring,” said a visibly devastated Garside.
“I know there will be dark times ahead, mate. I need to be prepared for that now.”
Harry Garside shared his heartbreak after seeing his Olympic dream shattered