The Milan Cortina Olympics saw a Valentine’s Day surge, leading organizers to promise a fresh supply of free condoms for athlete villages—following an unexpected shortage earlier in the event. The Italian organizing committee confirmed on Saturday that initial condom stock had been depleted due to higher-than-anticipated demand among over 10,500 athletes at this Winter Games.
“We saw a spike in interest during the first week,” commented IOC spokesman Mark Adams. “The demand was much greater than expected, with an estimated 2,800 athletes using around 3,000 condoms.”
This phenomenon has been a fixture of Olympic games for decades. A similar pattern emerged at the 2024 Paris Summer Games where over 100,000 condoms were distributed to nearly 10,500 athletes.
Alpine skier Mialitiana Clerc echoed this sentiment, recalling past experiences: “I’ve seen it happen in Beijing already. Every day, I noticed the supplies dwindling until they finally ran out at the end of the week.”
This shortage was part of a broader surprise—no plush toys of official mascots Milo and Tina were available for athletes during the opening days, proving more popular than expected within merchandise stores.
Condoms have long been a custom gift for Olympic athletes to share with friends. “It’s like giving something nice as a souvenir,” Clerc explained. “I know many people take them out of courtesy or as a gesture.”
Local organizing committee officials vowed not to let this happen again, assuring residents that further replenishments would ensure continuous availability throughout the closing ceremony on February 22.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring athletes have everything they need,” said local organizer. “We will continue to monitor supply and distribution closely until the end of the games.”
Such trends highlight how sports events often face unexpected challenges, from mascots to amenities like condoms. Yet, these moments underscore the dedication and care that organizers invest in making athletes’ experiences as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.