Saatva Partners with Team USA for Olympic Sleep Initiative

As the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles approach, Saatva, a luxury mattress brand, has launched a partnership with Team USA to provide athletes with high-quality sleep solutions. This collaboration aims to emphasize the critical role of restorative sleep in enhancing athletic performance, ensuring competitors are well-rested and ready to excel on the world stage.

Elevating Sleep Standards for Athletes

According to Saatva’s CEO, Ron Rudzin, the partnership is designed to address a significant concern for athletes: the quality of their sleep. “I wanted to really talk about how restorative sleep helps you with hitting peak performance,” Rudzin explained, noting that athletes should optimize their time awake, whether in sports or their professional lives. The collaboration with Team USA offers a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of sleep in achieving excellence.

Rudzin referenced the discomfort experienced by athletes during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where cardboard mattresses in the Olympic Village drew criticism for their lack of comfort. “There was some rumbling of the athletes during the Paris Olympics that they weren’t really comfortable with their sleeping arrangements,” he noted. This experience prompted Saatva to step in and provide a superior alternative, ensuring athletes are not hindered by inadequate rest.

“A split second can make or break your name,” Rudzin said, underscoring the significance of preparation and rest in competitive sports. To that end, Saatva plans to supply mattresses to every athlete competing in Los Angeles, along with additional sleep resources for Team USA members ahead of the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Science Behind Sleep and Performance

The relationship between sleep and athletic performance is well-documented. A consensus statement from sleep and sport specialists in 2021 highlighted that elite athletes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of inadequate rest. Poor sleep can lead to slower reaction times, reduced balance, and impaired motor control, ultimately affecting performance.

Rudzin emphasized that multiple nights of insufficient sleep can result in increased pre-training fatigue, leaving athletes drained before they even begin their competitions. “We’re building a terrific product for them,” he stated, referring to Saatva’s commitment to enhancing athletes’ sleep quality.

Among Saatva’s athlete ambassadors are notable figures such as Jessie Diggins, Lauren Macuga, and Brenna Huckaby. Rudzin highlighted the dedication of these athletes, saying, “These athletes like Lauren Macuga, she wakes up at 5:30, and many times it’s in 15 to below zero weather, and she skis 80 miles an hour, and she sleeps nine hours a day.” This commitment to sleep is crucial for optimal performance.

Rudzin aims to convey a broader message about the importance of sleep for everyone, not just elite athletes. He believes that preparation for a successful day starts with a good night’s rest. “Your day doesn’t start when you wake up, it starts before you go to sleep,” he noted, suggesting that individuals should approach sleep with the same seriousness as they do their training routines.

To facilitate better sleep, Rudzin advises creating an optimal sleeping environment. “Go to sleep and prepare for it, like you do when you go for your workout,” he recommended. This includes ensuring the room is comfortable, turning off electronics, and investing in quality bedding.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Sleep Innovation

Rudzin hinted at exciting developments on the horizon, including an Olympic-inspired Saatva mattress tailored for the active and athletic body. This innovation could extend beyond the Olympic athletes, potentially benefiting students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where the Olympic Village will be located.

“We’re leaving all the mattresses there,” Rudzin confirmed, suggesting a future where students benefit from improved sleep conditions. Saatva’s existing mattress lineup is already designed to enhance restorative sleep, focusing on spinal alignment and blood circulation, making them a top choice for anyone seeking better rest.

Ultimately, Rudzin envisions Saatva as a leader in promoting the importance of sleep across various demographics. “We wanted to be the company that inspires the world to prioritize sleep,” he stated, emphasizing that a well-rested individual is poised for success in every aspect of life. With Saatva’s commitment to enhancing sleep, both athletes and everyday individuals may find themselves ready to perform at their best.