Concerns have emerged from the athletes’ village at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy after reports that the initial supply of free condoms was exhausted just three days into the Games.
According to Italian outlet La Stampa, athletes used up roughly 10,000 condoms within 72 hours of the opening ceremony. An unnamed competitor claimed that replenishments had been promised but had yet to arrive, adding that this year’s allocation appeared limited compared to previous editions.
The distribution of free condoms in Olympic villages is a long-established public health measure designed to encourage safe sex and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. The initiative dates back to the 1988 Summer Olympics, when organizers began incorporating awareness campaigns into the Games.
By contrast, athletes at the 2024 Summer Olympics reportedly had access to approximately 300,000 condoms—an average of two per athlete per day. Participants in this year’s Winter Games say the supply fell significantly short of that benchmark.
Addressing the discussion, Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana defended the practice, stressing that condom distribution should not be viewed as controversial. In a social media post, he noted that providing protection to athletes is standard Olympic protocol and part of broader health awareness efforts.
Fontana also referenced a viral Instagram video by Spanish figure skater Olivia Smart, who showed condoms branded with the Lombardy Region’s yellow logo inside the village, joking that organizers had “everything you need.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics features around 2,900 athletes representing 92 national Olympic committees. Competitors are taking part in 116 events across 16 disciplines. Notably, the 2026 edition has set a new benchmark for gender representation in the Winter Games, with women making up 47 percent of participants — the highest proportion in the event’s history.
