Olympic Village Gets 300,000 Condoms To ‘Protect’ Athletes For 2024 Paris Games, Ban On ‘Intimacy’ Lifted

With the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Summer Olympics starting Friday, Daniel Smith, the Olympic Village Director for Team USA, has provided insights into the precautions and measures being taken to create a secure and conducive environment for the athletes.

One of the notable measures is the distribution of 300,000 condoms throughout the Olympic Village. While this practice has been a topic of discussion in previous Olympic Games, Smith confirms that the “ban” on intimacy between athletes has been lifted for the Paris Games. However, he emphasizes that the primary concern is not the sexual activity itself, but rather the security implications. To maintain a distraction-free environment, Team USA has implemented strict regulations regarding access to residential areas, with athletes from other countries being limited to common areas only.

In addition to the condom distribution, the organizers have also taken creative approaches to ensure the safety and comfort of the athletes. The “quirky packaging” of the condoms has generated a buzz on social media, with Canadian sailor Sarah Douglas showcasing the unique designs in a TikTok video.

In the clip, blue and pink condom holders can be seen emblazoned with messages such as “On the field of love, play fair [and] ask for consent” and ”No need to be a gold medalist to wear it.” It also includes the Paris Games’ mascot, the Olympic Phryge.

The Olympic Village enforces quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. local time to ensure that athletes receive the necessary rest and recovery for their training and competition. This measure is not only respectful of the athletes but also extends to the wider Olympic community.

Smith noted that athletes “can do as they please,” they just “can’t have music blaring out of an apartment at 10 to 11 p.m.” This is to make sure athletes receive the proper “rest and recovery” needed so they’re “ready to train or compete the following day.”

Notably, Team USA has implemented a strict alcohol-free policy within the Olympic Village and maintained a “dry Village” for its athletes.