The Winter Olympic Village in Italy has reportedly exhausted its supply of condoms just three days into the Games, after approximately 10,000 were distributed to athletes.
An unnamed athlete told Italian newspaper La Stampa that the available stock ran out quickly. According to the athlete, officials assured competitors that additional supplies would be delivered, though no clear timeline was provided.
Providing free condoms to athletes in the Olympic Village is a long-standing public health measure designed to encourage safe sex and reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections during the Games.
However, reports indicate that this year’s allocation was significantly lower than in previous editions.
The anonymous source criticized organizers, suggesting the quantity made available was insufficient.
By comparison, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, approximately 300,000 condoms were reportedly distributed — averaging about two per athlete per day. In contrast, the reported supply for the ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics was said to be under 10,000.
Last week, Lombardy regional governor Attilio Fontana addressed the matter publicly, stating that the initiative should not be viewed as controversial.
In a social media post, he explained that distributing condoms in the Olympic Village has been standard practice since the 1988 Summer Olympics, when the program was introduced to promote awareness about sexually transmitted diseases among athletes and young people.
Fontana also referenced a viral Instagram video shared by Spanish figure skater Olivia Smart, who displayed condoms branded with the Lombardy region’s yellow logo, remarking that the Village had provided necessary essentials.
The 2026 Winter Games feature approximately 2,900 athletes representing 92 national committees, competing in 116 events across 16 disciplines.
Organizers have also noted that this edition marks the highest proportion of female participation in Winter Olympics history, with women accounting for 47 per cent of competitors
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