Competitors at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have exhausted the available stock of complimentary condoms in an unprecedentedly short span of just three days, as reported by the Italian publication La Stampa.
With nearly 3,000 participants in the event, far fewer than the approximately 10,500 who took part in the Paris Summer Olympics held two years prior, the swift consumption highlights the ongoing tradition of providing such items in the athletes’ village.
According to La Stampa, the quantity allocated for these Winter Games fell well short of 10,000, a stark contrast to provisions at previous major competitions.
An unnamed competitor shared with the newspaper, “The supplies ran out in just three days. They promised us more will arrive, but who knows when.”
Attilio Fontana, the governor of Lombardy, addressed the matter publicly last week, asserting that it should not provoke any discomfort.
“Yes, we provide free condoms to athletes in the Olympic village,” Fontana posted on social media.
“If this seems strange to some, they’re unaware of the established Olympic practice. It began in Seoul 1988 to raise awareness among athletes and young people about sexually transmitted disease prevention— a topic that shouldn’t cause embarrassment.”
Fontana also reposted a widely circulated Instagram video from Spanish figure skater Olivia Smart, where she displayed the prophylactics featuring the yellow emblem of the Lombardy Region.
“I found them,” Smart commented in the video. “They have everything you need.”
Beyond this, the Olympic village offers numerous recreational options to occupy the athletes, such as an expansive fitness center, football and air hockey setups, and even a grand piano for entertainment.
Additionally, complimentary beverage stations are available, offering selections like Coca-Cola and Innocent brand smoothies to keep everyone refreshed.
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