The Winter Olympics village at Milano Cortina reportedly faced a shortage of condoms despite distributing 10,000 free condoms to athletes. The living quarters for Olympians are known for their lively atmosphere, with numerous stories of amorous encounters over the years.
Officials aimed to address any potential issues by providing free contraceptives. However, while 200,000 condoms were distributed at the Paris Summer Games in 2024 with around 10,500 athletes present, only 10,000 were handed out in northern Italy, where nearly 3,000 competitors are based.
An anonymous athlete revealed to Italian newspaper La Stampa that the condoms quickly ran out within three days, leaving uncertainty about when more supplies would arrive. Additionally, measures like ‘anti-sex’ beds were introduced by Olympic authorities to discourage activities away from public view, but the effectiveness of these measures remains in question.
This isn’t the first time condoms have run out at the Olympics. At the Sydney 2000 Games, organizers had to order an additional 20,000 condoms after exhausting their initial 70,000 supply. The importance of maintaining health and safety was emphasized to athletes upon their arrival in Milan.
Former Olympic champions have shed light on the village’s reputation for vibrant social interactions. One anonymous gold medalist mentioned in a 2012 interview that the village atmosphere is not a secret, with officials and the media well aware of the dynamics. The distribution of condoms is seen as part of the Olympic spirit to ensure athletes’ needs are met.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games will run from February 6-22, offering over 850 hours of live action on discovery+ via Prime Video. Fans can access continuous coverage through a £3.99 discovery+ Entertainment subscription, providing access to TNT Sports 2 for round-the-clock Olympic updates.