CORTINA D’AMPEZZO — It may be freezing on the slopes, but things have heated up significantly inside the Olympic Village. On Friday, February 13, 2026, reports emerged that the Milano Cortina 2026 organizers have officially run out of complimentary condoms only three days into the event.
The shortage has left the roughly 3,000 athletes and their delegations in an “awkward” position, with an anonymous athlete telling the Italian newspaper La Stampa, “The supplies sold out in just three days. They promised us more will arrive, but who knows when.”
1. The Math Behind the Shortage
Critics are pointing to a significant underestimation by the organizing committee. While the Winter Games host fewer athletes than the Summer Games, the “per person” allocation in Italy was drastically lower than in recent years.
| Olympic Edition | Condoms Provided | Avg. per Athlete |
| Rio 2016 | 450,000 | ~42 |
| Paris 2024 | 300,000 | ~30 |
| Milano Cortina 2026 | 10,000 | ~3.3 |
Despite having only 2,900 competitors, the initial stock of 9,700 to 10,000 units was exhausted almost instantly. Experts suggest that the “souvenir factor”—where athletes collect branded items to take home—likely contributed to the rapid disappearance.
2. Governor Defends the Tradition
Before the shortage made headlines, Attilio Fontana, the Governor of Lombardy, took to social media to normalize the distribution. He shared visuals of the contraceptives, which feature the yellow Lombardy Region logo.
“If this seems strange to some, they’re unaware of the established Olympic practice. It began in Seoul 1988 to raise awareness about STD prevention—a topic that shouldn’t cause embarrassment.” — Attilio Fontana
3. Living in the Village
The village in Cortina d’Ampezzo consists of modular residential units designed for sustainability and comfort. However, the close proximity and high-stress environment of the Games often lead to high demand for recreational and social outlets.
- The “Intimacy Ban” is Over: Unlike the Tokyo 2020 Games, which saw strict “no-contact” rules due to COVID-19, the 2026 Games have seen a return to full social interaction.
- Logistics Issue: Because the Games are spread across multiple hubs (Milan, Cortina, Livigno, etc.), moving new supplies through the snowy mountain passes has proved challenging for the local committee.
4. Social Media Reaction
The news, ironically breaking on International Condom Day (Feb 13), triggered a wave of viral memes.
- The “Souvenir” Theory: Many fans noted that Olympic-branded condoms are “gold-tier memorabilia.”
- Olympic “Cardboard Beds”: Some users jokingly asked if the Italian village had installed the “anti-sex” cardboard beds used in Tokyo (they haven’t).