On Valentine's Day at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, organisers have pledged to restore the supply of free condoms for athlete villages following a temporary shortage during the week. The Italian organising committee confirmed in a statement on Saturday, 14th February 2026, that additional stocks are being delivered and will be distributed across all villages between that day and Monday.
Higher-Than-Anticipated Demand
The committee explained that condom supplies in the Olympic Villages were temporarily depleted due to higher-than-anticipated demand. This shortage highlights the ongoing tradition of providing condoms for athletes, which has fascinated the world for decades. While the 2024 Paris Summer Games supplied 300,000 condoms for over 10,500 athletes, the initial stock for these Winter Games was significantly lower.
Valentine's Day in Full Swing
International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams commented on Saturday, noting the high usage rate. "I think 10,000 have been used, 2,800 athletes — you can go figure, as they say," Adams said. "It clearly shows that Valentine's Day is in full swing in the village." This condom shortage followed earlier reports of plush toys of the official mascots, Milo and Tina, being absent in the opening days due to unexpected popularity in merchandise stores.
A Traditional Olympic Gift
Alpine skier Mialitiana Clerc, who competed for Madagascar at the Winter Games in China four years ago, shared her perspective on Saturday. She recalled a similar situation in Beijing, where condoms were placed at the entrance of every building in the village. "Every day, everything was gone," Clerc said at an IOC news conference promoting a scholarship program. She added that many athletes use condoms or take them as gifts for friends outside the Olympics, describing them as "a kind of gift."
Ensuring Continued Availability
The local organising committee has assured that there will be no further shortage until the Winter Games closing ceremony on 22nd February. "They will be continuously replenished until the end of the games to ensure continued availability," the committee stated. This proactive measure aims to maintain the tradition of providing condoms, which has become a notable aspect of the Olympic experience for athletes.
