Organisers of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina say their initial supply of about 10,000 condoms was gone in just three days, driven by a surge in demand during the Valentine’s Day period. With roughly 2,871 athletes taking part, the stock worked out to only a few per competitor, far less than what was made available at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where hundreds of thousands were distributed.

Organisers moved quickly to restock, confirming that fresh supplies were delivered between February 14 and 16 and will continue to be replenished across all Olympic Villages through to the closing ceremony on February 22. The free distribution of contraceptives has been a fixture of the Games since the 1988 Seoul Olympics, aimed at promoting awareness of sexually transmitted infections.

Away from the headlines, athletes still have plenty to keep them occupied in the Village, with access to a full gym, table football, air hockey and even a piano for downtime between competition.