Africa: 2026 Winter Olympics - Organisers Restock Condoms After Early Shortage in Athletes' Village
AllAfrica
February 19, 2026
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Organizers of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have restocked condoms in the Athletes' Village after initially providing fewer than expected, leading to a shortage. Only 100,000 condoms were made available compared to the 300,000 distributed at the Paris 2024 Games. The shortage occurred due to higher-than-anticipated demand, particularly around Valentine's Day, prompting additional supplies to be delivered.
The distribution of condoms has been a standard public health measure since the 1988 Seoul Games, aimed at promoting safe sex to prevent HIV/AIDS and other STIs. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers continued this practice, distributing about 160,000 condoms at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as a symbolic and educational gesture.
Athletes have long used condoms not just for protection but also as gifts or souvenirs. Madagascar's alpine skier Mialitiana Clerc noted that high demand is common at major sporting events, citing her experience at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics where condom supplies quickly ran out.
The 2026 Games, with fewer athletes (about 2,900) compared to larger events like Paris 2024, still saw consistent demand for condoms. This highlights the recurring need for organizers to ensure adequate supplies based on expected usage patterns rather than raw numbers alone.
The situation underscores the importance of addressing athlete welfare and health needs at major international events. While organizers may face challenges in predicting demand, ensuring access to essential services like condoms remains a core component of public health policies at the Olympics.
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Originally published on AllAfrica on 2/19/2026