The Winter Olympics village at Milano Cortina has reportedly exhausted its supply of condoms despite distributing 10,000 freebies to athletes. The living quarters for Olympians, known for their lively atmosphere, have been the setting for numerous risqué incidents over the years.
In an effort to address potential issues, organizers provided free contraceptives. However, while 200,000 condoms were given out at the Paris Summer Games in 2024 when there were approximately 10,500 participants, only a mere 10,000 were supplied in northern Italy this year where just under 3,000 athletes are based.
One athlete, who preferred to remain unnamed, mentioned to Italian newspaper La Stampa that the condom stock ran out within three days. Assurances were made for additional supplies, but the timing remains uncertain.
Apart from free contraceptives, Olympic officials reportedly introduced “anti-sex” beds to curtail off-camera activities. Nevertheless, the modified cardboard bed design doesn’t seem to deter athletes.
This is not the first instance of condom shortage during the Olympics. In Sydney 2000, organizers had to order an extra 20,000 condoms after exhausting their initial allocation of 70,000.
The possibility of an STI outbreak would pose a significant threat to the Games. Athletes were reminded upon arrival in Milan to prioritize health and exercise prevention and common sense.
An anonymous former Olympic gold medalist shed light on the village’s risqué reputation in a 2012 interview with CNN, emphasizing that sexual activities are commonplace among athletes. The distribution of numerous condoms is seen as a reflection of this reality.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are scheduled from February 6-22, with fans able to watch over 850 hours of live action on discovery+ via Prime Video. The £3.99 discovery+ Entertainment subscription will grant access to TNT Sports 2 for continuous Olympic coverage during the event.
