The organisers of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina faced a unique challenge when reports emerged of an early shortage of condoms in the Athletes' Village. Initially, only 100,000 condoms had been provided, which was significantly lower than the 300,000 distributed during the previous Summer Games in Paris. This discrepancy raised eyebrows and sparked discussion about the adequacy of supplies necessary for promoting safe sex among athletes during the event.

In response to the shortage and the subsequent media storm, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Organising Committee confirmed that additional supplies of condoms were delivered earlier this week. The decision came after Italian newspaper La Stampa highlighted that the condom stocks in athletes' accommodations had been depleted, driven by what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) described as a 'higher-than-anticipated demand.' This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of health and safety measures in public events like the Olympics.

Condom distribution at the Olympics has been a public health initiative since the 1988 Seoul Games, aimed at promoting safe sex and curbing the spread of sexually transmitted infections among the athletes. The early shortage at the 2026 Winter Olympics not only underscores the need for robust health measures at large sporting events but also highlights the changing attitudes towards athletes' personal lives and sexual health during such competitions.