A Glasgow sexual health nurse has revealed their clinic saw a surge in patients and sexually transmitted infection diagnoses after the last Commonwealth Games in the city. As thousands of athletes and fans descend on Glasgow for this year's Games, experts are urging competitors, visitors, and locals to think about their sexual health – by carrying condoms, getting tested after unprotected sex, and seeking treatment if they have any concerns.
Winter Olympics Condom Shortage
The warning comes just months after the Winter Olympics made headlines when the athletes' village reportedly ran out of free condoms within days, despite organisers distributing 10,000 to competitors. Major sporting events have long gained a reputation for romances away from the field of play, with Olympic athletes openly describing villages as a hotbed of sex and organisers routinely providing free condoms as part of public health planning.
Nurse's Account of 2014 Impact
Now a Glasgow sexual health nurse, who worked in a city clinic during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, has spoken about the impact the event had on services. The nurse said the clinic experienced a noticeable increase in demand following the Games, with more people attending for sexual health checks and more STI diagnoses being made.
Sarah Mulindwa, a senior sexual health nurse and sexual health expert, said planning ahead was just as important as packing sunscreen during a spell of hot weather. She said: "Planning ahead for your sexual health is no different from preparing for a heatwave – carry condoms if you think you may need them, know where to access healthcare and look out for your friends."
Public Health Measure
Mulindwa said the free condoms routinely handed out in athletes' villages were a public health measure rather than an encouragement to have sex. She said: "The widespread availability of condoms at major sporting events isn't about encouraging people to have sex – it's about making it easier for them to make safer choices."
The winter Olympics was not the first time the condoms have run out. Organisers at Sydney 2000 had to order 20,000 more after their initial 70k allocation was all used up. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, athletes were left furious after 'anti-sex' cardboard beds were installed. Olympic villages have a reputation for being sex-mad with athletes hanging socks on door knobs as a universal symbol to 'go away'. Former long jump star Susen Tiedtke previously told Bild: "Sex is always an issue in the village. The athletes are at their physical peak at the Olympics. When the competition is over, they want to release their energy."
