The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina has faced an unexpected challenge—not on the slopes, but in the athletes’ village. Organisers revealed that all 10,000 free condoms provided for competitors were exhausted in just 72 hours.
The shortage was reported by Italian newspaper La Stampa, which called it a “record-breaking” depletion. Athletes expressed frustration over the lack of basic supplies during the high-pressure event. One anonymous competitor said, “The suppliers ran out in just three days. They promised more will arrive, but who knows when.”
The crisis stems from underestimation. While the 2024 Paris Summer Games provided around 300,000 condoms—roughly two per day per athlete—the Milan-Cortina organisers provided fewer than 10,000 for about 3,000 competitors. Critics noted the officials were “not particularly generous with the numbers,” overlooking the social nature of the Olympic village.
Local authorities have stepped in to manage the situation and reduce stigma. Attilio Fontana, governor of Lombardy, commented on social media: “Yes, we provide free condoms to athletes in the Olympic village. If this seems strange to some, they’re unaware of the established Olympic practice, a topic that shouldn’t cause embarrassment.”
Organisers have promised a fresh batch of supplies, but for now, the village is facing an “unprecedented” shortage, highlighting the unusual challenges of hosting a global sporting event.
