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 during the Games are known for their lively atmosphere, with numerous stories of amorous encounters over the years.
To address potential issues, organizers provided free contraceptives, although only 10,000 were given out in Milano Cortina compared to 200,000 distributed at the Paris Summer Games in 2024. The disparity in the numbers is notable, as there were around 10,500 participants in Paris and just under 3,000 in northern Italy for the current event.
An anonymous athlete revealed to Italian newspaper La Stampa that the condom supplies ran out within three days, with uncertainty about when more would be available. Additionally, efforts to discourage off-camera activities included the use of so-called ‘anti-sex’ beds, but the measures seem ineffective.
This isn’t the first instance of condom shortages at the Olympics, as organizers had to order an additional 20,000 condoms during the Sydney 2000 Games after exhausting their initial 70,000 allocation. Preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections is crucial, with a strong emphasis on health and common sense for all participants.
Former Olympic champions have shed light on the vibrant social scene within the village, with one highlighting the prevalence of intimate encounters and the provision of condoms as part of the Olympic culture. The ongoing Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, taking place from February 6-22, offers fans over 850 hours of live action on discovery+ via Prime Video.
Throughout the Games, a £3.99 discovery+ Entertainment subscription grants access to TNT Sports 2 for continuous Olympic coverage.