The Winter Olympics are in full swing, but it seems that one essential item is in short supply – condoms! According to reports, all the free condoms provided to athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Northern Italy have been snapped up in just 72 hours.
An anonymous athlete revealed to Italian news outlet La Stampa that the supplies of condoms in the Olympic Village have run out, leaving athletes in need of more. The athlete mentioned that the suppliers have promised that more condoms will arrive, but there is uncertainty about when that will happen.
Comparing the number of condoms provided at the Winter Olympics to the Paris Games, where over 300,000 condoms were distributed, it’s clear that there is a significant difference. With fewer than 10,000 condoms given out at the Winter Games, the shortage may be attributed to the lower number of athletes participating – under 3,000 at the Winter Olympics compared to 10,500 at the Paris Olympics.
In a humorous reference to the situation, Canadian sailor Sarah Douglas made headlines at the 2024 Paris Games when she displayed her welcome-condom package in her Olympic Village room. The condoms featured funny messages, including “No need to be a gold medalist to wear it!”
Despite the shortage of condoms at the Winter Olympics, it seems that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had no trouble convincing athletes to use them this time around. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of intense competition, safety and protection should always come first.
