An unexpected shortage has reportedly hit the Winter Olympic Village in Italy just days after the Games began. Athletes are said to have used up the entire condom supply within 72 hours.
The surprising development has quickly become one of the most talked-about stories of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Moreover, it has drawn attention to a long-standing Olympic tradition aimed at promoting safe sex.
According to reports, about 10,000 condoms were made available to athletes. However, that supply was depleted in just three days.
“The supplies ran out in just three days,” an anonymous athlete told Italian newspaper La Stampa. “They promised us more will arrive, but who knows when.”
The Winter Olympics condom shortage has raised questions about planning and distribution.
Organisers traditionally provide free protection in the Olympic Village as part of a public health campaign. This practice began during the Seoul 1988 Games to promote awareness about sexually transmitted diseases.
However, some athletes believe this year’s numbers were too low. The anonymous source criticised organisers, saying they were not “particularly generous with the numbers.”
“In Paris the athletes received 300,000 condoms – two per day each – but the numbers for these Winter Games were significantly lower: not even 10,000,” La Stampa reported.
With around 2,900 athletes from 92 national committees competing, demand may have been underestimated. In addition, this year’s Games feature 116 events across 16 disciplines. Notably, the 2026 edition also has the highest percentage of female athletes in Winter Games history at 47 percent.
Meanwhile, Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana addressed the issue publicly. He insisted there was nothing unusual about the distribution of condoms.
“Yes, we provide free condoms to athletes in the Olympic village,” he wrote on social media. “If this seems strange to some, they’re unaware of the established Olympic practice. It began in Seoul 1988 to raise awareness among athletes and young people about sexually transmitted disease prevention a topic that shouldn’t cause embarrassment.”
Fontana also shared a viral Instagram clip by Spanish figure skater Olivia Smart. In the video, she displayed condoms stamped with the Lombardy Region logo.
“I found them,” she says in the clip. “They have everything you need.”
The Winter Olympics condom shortage highlights how even small logistical issues can gain global attention during major sporting events.
