The Olympic Village ran out of condoms just three days before the 2026 Winter Olympics, with athletes in Milan’s Cortina, Italy having already used 10,000 condoms.
The Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games are scheduled to last a total of 17 days. The Olympic Committee thought 10,000 condoms would be enough. However, with the record speed with which this condom shortage has hit the Olympic Village, one thing is clear – the athletes know how to keep themselves busy between events.
According to the Italian newspaper La Stampa, the Olympic Village has run out of all the free condoms it provided to Olympic competitors. However, attention was drawn to the record speed with which this shortage occurred.
“The stock ran out in just three days. They promised us more would arrive, but who knows when,” one athlete told the newspaper.
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At least 2 condoms a day – math 10,000 condoms in 3 days
Around 2,900 athletes from 92 different National Committees are participating in this year’s Winter Olympics, taking part in 116 different events. The 2026 Games have the highest percentage of female athletes (47%) in the history of the Winter Games.
According to Forbes’ calculations, that leaves at least 1,500 men who might need some coverage. Assuming that every Olympian with a penis used condoms at the same rate, each of them would use 6.67 condoms—that’s 7 condoms—in three days to cause a shortage.
That would mean at least two condoms a day for each penis, Forbes said.
However, for the Olympic Village to replenish 10,000 or more condoms for the remaining competitors is quite a difficult task.
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Netizens react:
Social media users found it hilarious, comparing the Winter Olympics to freshman college.
“Winter Olympic Tournament or Winter Olympic Sex?” said the user.
Another added: “Every olympic athlete village is just a freshman college lmao.”
“Were they suddenly extremely horny or did the cold force them to burn some calories or is it just Valentine’s Day mood?” the user asked.
“It’s expected. It’s the Winter Olympics and it’s cold outside. These companions are needed,” one netizen noted.
Another joked: “Somewhere the condom companies must be celebrating like it’s a festival 😄, they’ll be wishing the Olympics were every year instead of every four.”
“Let’s be real. You have thousands of elite athletes (top athletes) in their 20s and 30s living together in one village, after years of intense training and stress. Of course there will be hiccups. It’s just human nature. They say it’s like a college campus,” another user added.
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A few users were glad that athletes at least used protection. “Condom distribution is also about public health when you have people from all over the world in one place.”
“They know what they came there for and they’re winning, at least they’re protected,” added another.