Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – February 14, 2026 — The official Olympic Village supplying athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games has completely exhausted its initial stock of condoms only three days after the official opening of the Games, with reports confirming that more than 10,000 units were distributed or collected in that short period.
Organising committee officials confirmed the shortage late Thursday evening after repeated requests from athletes and team delegations for replenishment. The 2026 Games, jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in northern Italy, officially opened on February 6 with the torch-lighting ceremony in Rome and the first events beginning February 11 in the Dolomites region. The rapid depletion has surprised even seasoned Olympic staff who are accustomed to high demand for prophylactics during major multi-sport events.
According to a statement released by the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee (Fondazione Milano Cortina), the village originally stocked 30,000 condoms — a figure lower than the 110,000–120,000 typically provided at recent Summer Olympic Games but considered sufficient based on historical Winter Games usage patterns and the smaller athlete population (approximately 2,900 competitors compared with 11,000 at the Summer Olympics). By the evening of February 9, just three full days after athletes began moving into the villages, the entire initial supply had been used.
“The supplies ran out in just three days,” a senior logistics coordinator told Italian daily Corriere della Sera on condition of anonymity. “We are arranging an emergency restock from Milan and are increasing daily deliveries to both the Cortina and Milan villages. We apologise for any inconvenience and are working around the clock to ensure availability.”
The committee emphasised that the shortage is temporary and that additional shipments are already en route, with 50,000 more units expected to arrive by Saturday morning. Free condom dispensers have also been installed in additional locations around the athlete dining halls, medical centres, and recreation areas to improve access while the main stock is replenished.
The phenomenon of rapid condom consumption at Olympic Villages is well-documented and has become something of a tradition since the Seoul 1988 Summer Games, when organisers first publicly acknowledged supplying prophylactics to promote safe sex and prevent sexually transmitted infections among young athletes living in close proximity for weeks. At the Tokyo 2020 Games (held in 2021), organisers provided 150,000 condoms but reported that many were taken home as souvenirs rather than used on-site. Similar patterns were observed in Beijing 2022 (Winter) and Paris 2024 (Summer).
Winter Games typically see lower consumption rates than Summer editions due to fewer athletes and colder weather, but the 2026 figure of 10,000+ units in three days suggests unusually high demand. Organisers attribute the surge to several factors:
A younger-than-average athlete cohort following the postponement effects of the COVID-19 era
Record numbers of first-time Olympians
The unique social atmosphere created by the removal of strict COVID-era restrictions that limited mingling at previous Games
The longer duration many athletes are spending in the village due to extended qualification periods and event scheduling
Public health officials at the Games have welcomed the high uptake as evidence of responsible behaviour among competitors. Dr. Elena Rossi, a member of the medical commission for Milano Cortina 2026, stated: “Condoms are provided free, discreetly, and without judgement precisely to encourage safe practices. The fact that they are being used so quickly is actually a positive sign of awareness and responsibility.”
The shortage has generated significant online discussion, with memes and jokes circulating widely on social media platforms. Several athletes have posted humorous references to the situation without naming individuals or violating village rules on media conduct. The organising committee has asked all participants to maintain discretion regarding personal matters while emphasising that sexual health resources remain a priority.
The rapid consumption rate has also prompted organisers to review future planning. A spokesperson indicated that the committee is already considering increasing the baseline stock for the Paralympic Village (opening March 6) and may adopt the higher Summer Games ratio for subsequent editions.
As the Games continue through February 22, the Milan-Cortina committee has assured athletes, coaches, and support staff that condom supplies will remain continuously available. Additional public health messaging on consent, sexual health, and mental well-being is also being reinforced through village information channels.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are the first jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo since the 1956 Winter Games in Cortina. The event features 114 medal events across eight sports and has drawn athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees.
With the condom shortage now resolved through expedited restocking, the focus returns to competition on the snow and ice — but the early logistical hiccup has already secured its place in Winter Olympics folklore.
