Milan, Feb 19: A bizarre incident has been reported in which 10,000 condoms supplied to the sports village for the participants of the 2026 Winter Olympics have been sold out in just 3 days.
A bizarre problem has arisen in the sports village of the 2026 Winter Olympics being held in Milan-Cortina, Italy, where about 10,000 condoms provided to the sports village have been sold out in just three days.
There is also a widespread demand for more condoms. This bizarre demand has put the organizers of the games in a dilemma. This is said to be the first time in the history of the Winter Olympics that condoms have been sold out so quickly.
More than 4,000 people, including 2,900 athletes, are staying in the sports village. More than 2,900 athletes from 92 countries are competing in 116 events at the 2026 Winter Olympics. 47% of all competitors are women. This is said to be the highest percentage in the history of the Winter Games.
About 9,700 packets were initially provided for them. However, due to the overwhelming demand from the athletes, the boxes were empty within three days. But this unexpected development has put the organizers in a dilemma. Officials are struggling to overcome the unexpected condom shortage.
According to sources, the supply in Milan is being analyzed as being much lower than in the 2024 Paris Olympics. About 3 lakh condoms were distributed to 10,500 athletes at the Paris Olympics.
The shortage has led to a huge demand for condoms in the athletes’ village of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
1 lakh more in stock
The Milan Olympics organising committee had said that as demand for condoms in the sports village has increased, new stocks will be brought in soon and that measures will be taken to ensure that there is no shortage until the end of the games. Accordingly, the organisers have informed that about 1 lakh condoms have now been brought to the sports village.
What did the IOC say?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has broken its silence on the issue for the first time, said that the stock supplied was depleted “due to higher than expected demand”. Similarly, it plans to “continually replenish until the end of the games to ensure continuous availability”.
Valentine’s Day is being celebrated in a grand manner in the sports village. I don’t think I can add much to that,” said IOC spokesman Mark Adams.
Safe Sex and the Olympic Tradition
The tradition of distributing free condoms in the Olympic Village to promote athletes’ health and safe sex has been going on since the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The main purpose of this is to protect the physical health of athletes amidst the stress of the Games. It is true that there is a high demand for condoms.