The 2024 Summer time Olympics formally kick off in Paris on July 26, and whether or not you’re awaiting the inspiring athletics (see: runner Nia Akins, skateboarder Bryce Wettstein, and gymnast Jade Carey) or for the Siene River poop drama, you may’t deny this 12 months’s Olympics is assured to be entertaining—and, for athletes within the Olympic Village, protected. As the primary wave of athletes settle into the Olympic and Paralympic Villages, social media is awash with TikTok room tours that includes the now-infamous cardboard beds, the mattresses product of recycled fishing nets (which, sure, look as interesting as they sound), and, in fact, the big provide of Olympic-branded condoms present in every bed room.
In a TikTok posted by Canadian sailor Sarah Douglas, athlete bedrooms are crammed with free swag that features Olympic-themed baggage, a Samsung Galaxy phone (no huge deal), and a stack of shiny and colourful condoms adorned with the Phryges, the official mascots of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
Every envelope homes one condom and reminds wearers of the significance of consent and safety: “No must be a gold medalist to put on it!” one envelope reads, whereas one other reads, “On the sphere of affection, play truthful. Ask for consent.” As athletes proceed to reach and take photographs, extra slogans are rapidly popping up, with a current X post exhibiting: “Rating a win: Sure to consent, no to STDs” and “Don’t share greater than victory, shield your self towards STDs.”
@sarahmdouglas what they are saying concerning the village 🤣
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Although the “sexcapades” of the Olympics have grow to be a cultural speaking level over time, the rationale for the safety push is, in fact, legitimate—and likewise famous on the backs of this 12 months’s condoms: “Based on WHO, final 12 months, round 630,000 folks died from HIV-related causes and 1.3 million folks acquired HIV. Shield your self, take a look at your self!”
Regardless of the unofficial “intimacy ban” on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—the place organizers tried to curb bodily contact within the wake of COVID-19—greater than 150,000 condoms have been nonetheless made obtainable to athletes 4 years in the past. Now, for the upcoming Paris Video games, that quantity has practically doubled, in keeping with CNN. With 14,500 folks anticipated to remain inside the Olympic Village, organizers are ready handy out roughly 230,000 safety choices, together with 200,000 male condoms; 20,000 “feminine condoms;” and 10,000 oral dams.
FWIW, Olympic organizers don’t truly count on Village attendees to make use of their full condom allotment (which, performing some unfastened math, would come out to greater than 20 condoms per athlete), however they’re not taking any dangers this 12 months. As a substitute, a gradual provide of (oddly motivational and endearing) condoms will probably be obtainable all through the Video games, throughout bedrooms, well being clinics, and merchandising machines.
For extra Olympic Village updates, comply with together with Effectively+Good’s continued Olympics protection through our Summer of Champions sequence. Trying to watch the Video games in actual time? NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer time Olympics, however you it’s also possible to watch on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Network, CNBC, and E!