Free Milan Olympic Village Giveaway: 10,000 Items Sold Out

A practice that started at the Seoul Olympics
450,000 units distributed in Rio and 110,000 units in Pyeongchang
Increased volume through Zika, AIDS, and Corona

Free condoms provided at the 2026 Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics athletes’ village are once again attracting attention as they are quickly sold out in the early stages of the competition.

On the 11th (local time), foreign media, including the British media The Sun, reported that the Games organizing committee distributed a total of 9,700 condoms, including male and female condoms, throughout the Olympic village. About 2,900 players from 92 countries participated in this tournament, and it was reported that a significant amount of supplies were running out from the beginning.

An official from the organizing committee explained, “Providing free condoms in the athletes’ village during the Olympics is a precautionary measure based on a long-standing tradition. Athletes who have maintained intense training, abstinence, and thorough self-management for a long period of time often relax and regain their energy after the game.” He added, “The purpose of the distribution is to encourage safe sex among athletes.” If supplies are insufficient, additional supply will be provided.

Plastic containers with the Olympic mascot and the word ‘condom’ written on them are placed on the shelves in the hallways of the athletes’ village, and yellow packaged products with the Olympic logo can be taken freely. Spanish national figure skater Olivia Smart also attracted attention by uploading a video introducing a condom beach location through her TikTok account.

Starting from Seoul in 1988… “Concern about the spread of AIDS is a turning point”

Condoms were officially distributed at the Olympic Games starting with the 1988 Seoul Olympics. At that time, 8,500 were provided to players. Since then, distribution of condoms has continued as a custom regardless of whether it is summer or winter. In particular, as global concerns about AIDS grew in the 1990s, the amount of distribution increased significantly. As the Athletes’ Village is a space where young adult athletes from around the world gather together, prevention policies at the public health level have been strengthened.

The official distribution of condoms at the Olympics began in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. At that time, 8,500 were provided to players. Since then, distribution of condoms has continued as a custom regardless of whether it is summer or winter. IOC

At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, 450,000 doses were distributed, the largest ever, amid concerns about the spread of the Zika virus. This is the highest figure across summer and winter. At the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, 110,000 pieces were provided, the most for a winter competition. At the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, which were postponed for a year due to COVID-19, 150,000 were provided. However, at the time, the organizing committee attracted attention by recommending refraining from using it within the athletes’ village in accordance with quarantine guidelines and allowing it to be taken as a souvenir. Subsequently, at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, 200,000 pieces for men and 20,000 pieces for women were provided for approximately 15,000 athletes staying in the athletes’ village. The packaging became a hot topic with phrases such as “Play fair in love and competition” and “You don’t have to be a gold medalist to use it.”

Are ‘Olympic condoms’ souvenirs? Some environmental controversies

Olympic condoms are not just sanitary products, but are also considered a kind of souvenir. Some players created a hot topic by owning packaging with the tournament logo or posting proof photos on social media.

Recently, eco-friendly issues have also been added. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and each organizing committee are expanding measures to produce packaging materials from recycled materials or use eco-friendly latex. This measure was taken in response to criticism that sustainability policies and public health policies should be considered simultaneously as it is a large-scale international event. The organizing committee also allowed athletes to freely bring condoms from each athlete’s village at this year’s Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo Games, and plans to supply additional supplies if necessary. If the Olympics are a competition stage for the world’s best athletes, the athletes’ village is a space where the culture behind it is revealed. Condom distribution is also becoming another aspect of sports festivals.

Reporter Jeil Bang zeilism@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒEconomic content platform for investors, Asia Economy (www.asiae.co.kr) Unauthorized reproduction prohibited>