Even in Tokyo, where athletes had to wear masks at all times, and sleep on the so-called cardboard anti-sex beds, 150,000 condoms were handed out. Picture: Free Logos
Olympic organisers are planning for the return of sex in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after the 2020 Games in Tokyo were forced to implement an intimacy ban due to Covid-19, even with the cardboard beds that were first introduced in Tokyo, which the organisers dubbed “anti-sex beds”.
Laurent Michaud, director of the Olympic and Paralympic Village, said 300,000 condoms would be available to athletes in Paris.
“We are aiming to have 300,000 condoms here at disposal for the 14,250 residents – athletes, personnel, and officials in the village. It’s a quantity that makes sure that everybody will have what they’re expecting and what they need,” he told the UK’s Sky News.
“We wanted to create some places where the athletes would feel very enthusiastic and comfortable, so they can have some conversations, discussions, and to share their core values about sport”.
“We have made a village club also, with a lounge, with a sports bar with Coca-Cola, no alcohol of course over there, but it’s going to be a great place, so they can actually share their moments and the environment here,” he said.
“No champagne in the village, of course, but they can have all the champagne they want in Paris.”
The distribution of condoms has become a tradition at both the Summer and Winter Olympics since they were first distributed at the 1988 Games in Seoul to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS.
About 8500 condoms were provided at Seoul in 1988, providing one for each athlete.
The 2000 Olympics in Sydney originally ordered just 70,000 condoms, thinking it would be enough, but they had to order an extra 20,000, while the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City were the first Olympics to break the 100,000 mark.
In 2016, the organisers in Rio distributed 450,000 condoms, three times more than the London Games in 2012, with 100,000 female condoms available for the first time. About 175,000 packets of lubricant were also supplied.
Even in Tokyo, where athletes had to wear masks at all times, and sleep on the so-called cardboard anti-sex beds, 150,000 condoms were handed out, although organisers said that “the distribution of condoms is not for use at the athletes’ village, but to have athletes take them back to their home countries to raise awareness.”
IOL Lifestyle