Organisers of the Winter Olympics 2026 are facing criticism after supplies of free condoms at the athletes’ village were reportedly exhausted just three days into the Games.
According to Italian newspaper La Stampa, competitors in the village in Livigno said the distribution numbers were far lower than expected. One athlete, who spoke anonymously, said participants were assured more supplies were on the way.
“The supplies ran out in just three days,” the athlete said. “They told us more will arrive, but nobody knows when.”
Reports suggest that fewer than 10,000 condoms were initially provided for the nearly 3,000 athletes attending the Games.
This contrasts sharply with the estimated 300,000 distributed during the Paris 2024 Olympics, where athletes reportedly received multiple condoms daily.
Authorities in the host region insisted the programme was routine and aimed at promoting health awareness. Attilio Fontana, president of Lombardy, said the initiative should not be controversial.
“Providing condoms at the Olympic village is long-standing practice,” Fontana said in a social media post.
“It began at the Seoul 1988 Olympics to encourage awareness of sexually transmitted infections among athletes and young people.”
The issue gained further attention after Spanish figure skater Olivia Smart posted a video online showing branded condoms available in the village, joking that athletes had access to “everything they need.”
Despite the shortage, organisers say athletes continue to have access to a wide range of recreational facilities, including a gym, games rooms, musical instruments and free beverage stations.
Officials have not yet confirmed when new supplies will arrive, but sources say deliveries are expected in the coming days.
