Olympic Village Faces Unexpected Condom Shortage During 2026 Winter Olympics
Organisers of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are scrambling to replenish condom supplies after athletes reportedly exhausted an initial stock of 10,000 free products within just three days of the Games commencing. The unexpected demand has highlighted a long-standing Olympic tradition and posed an immediate logistical challenge for officials.
The athletes' village at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has encountered an unforeseen logistical challenge, with its initial supply of 10,000 free condoms reportedly depleted in a mere three days since the Games began. The rapid consumption has left organisers scrambling to secure additional stock for the remainder of the 17-day event, drawing considerable attention to a customary, albeit often discreet, aspect of life within the Olympic bubble. 2026 Winter Olympics Women’s Snowboarding Halfpipe Final Result: Choi Ga-On Wins Gold, Chloe Kim Settles for Silver.
Unprecedented Demand Catches Organisers Off Guard
Reports from Italian newspaper La Stampa indicate that the 10,000 condom packs, intended to last for a significant portion of the Games, were exhausted within 72 hours. This swift depletion has surprised the organising committee, which is now working to arrange further distribution. With approximately 2,900 athletes from 92 national committees participating in the Milan-Cortina Games, the demand has been notably high. One anonymous athlete was quoted by La Stampa stating, "The supplies ran out in just three days. They promised us more will arrive, but who knows when."
A Long-Standing Olympic Tradition
The provision of free condoms at the Olympic Village is a practice that dates back to the Seoul Games in 1988, established to promote awareness and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. This tradition underscores the unique social environment of the Olympic Village, where thousands of athletes live in close quarters. However, the initial allocation for Milan-Cortina appears to have been significantly lower compared to previous Summer Games. For instance, the Paris 2024 Olympics reportedly provided 300,000 condoms, while the Rio 2016 Games distributed 450,000. Governor Attilio Fontana of the Lombardy region recently defended the provision of condoms, stating it is an "established Olympic practice" and a topic that "shouldn't cause embarrassment." Sturla Laegreid's Ex-Girlfriend Responds to ‘Live TV Cheating Confession’ by 2026 Winter Olympics Medallist.
Athletes Await Replenishment
The unexpected shortage has created a stir among athletes, who are now awaiting the replenishment of supplies. Organisers have confirmed that additional distribution will continue throughout the Games to ensure athletes have access to contraception. The situation has inadvertently highlighted the social dynamics within the Olympic Village and the importance placed on health measures, even amidst intense athletic competition.
As the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics continue, the focus remains on both the sporting events and the logistical efforts to address this unexpected demand. The organising committee faces the challenge of quickly securing and distributing more condoms to meet the needs of the athletes for the remainder of the Games.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 14, 2026 04:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).