Winter Olympics condom supply depleted in three days at Cortina village
Fewer than 10,000 condoms distributed to athletes ran out before the first week ended, compared with 300,000 at Paris 2024.
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The complimentary condom supply at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Olympic Village has been exhausted within three days of distribution, according to reports from Italian media outlets.
Organizers made fewer than 10,000 condoms available to athletes competing at the Games, which are being held in Cortina. An anonymous athlete told La Stampa that the supplies ran out rapidly. "The supplies ran out in just three days," the athlete said. "They promised us more will arrive, but who knows when."
The shortage stands in sharp contrast to previous Olympic Games. At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, organizers distributed approximately 300,000 condoms throughout the athletes' village. Laurent Michaud, director of the athletes' village during the Summer Games, confirmed this figure in an interview with Sky News.
The Winter Games in Italy are hosting 2,871 athletes from 92 nations. The disparity in condom allocation between the Winter and Summer Olympics is substantial, with the Paris distribution being roughly 30 times larger than the Cortina supply.
Free protection for Olympic athletes has become standard practice across multiple editions of the Games. However, the rapid depletion of the Winter Olympics supply has drawn attention to the planning discrepancy between the two events.
Attilio Fontana, governor of the Lombardy region, addressed the situation, stating that health remains a priority and emphasizing prevention measures.
The Olympic Village has historically been known for romantic encounters among athletes, with numerous stories emerging over the decades. The timing of the condom shortage coincides with Valentine's Day, which officials noted may have contributed to increased demand during the Games.