The upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics will reintroduce a long-standing tradition by offering thousands of condoms to participating athletes during the event.Laurent Michaud, director of the Olympic Village, disclosed in an interview with Sky News on Saturday that a staggering 300,000 condoms will be made available for the 14,250 athletes residing in the village during the games.
Michaud emphasized the importance of fostering camaraderie and conviviality among athletes, stating, “It is very important that the conviviality here is something big.”
This initiative marks a departure from the policy implemented during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where although condoms were distributed, athletes were subjected to an intimacy ban due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletes were required to limit physical contact, including sexual activity, and maintain a distance of six and a half feet from others to prevent virus transmission.
The 2024 Paris Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, promising an event filled with excitement, competition, and camaraderie.
The distribution of condoms has been a longstanding tradition at the Olympics, dating back to the 1988 Seoul Games, aimed at promoting HIV and AIDS awareness, as reported by CBS Sports. Even during the 2020 games, 150,000 condoms were handed out to athletes.
Michaud highlighted efforts to create a welcoming environment for athletes in Paris, stating, “Working with the athletes commission, we wanted to create some places where the athletes would feel very enthusiastic and comfortable.”
While intimacy is permitted at the Paris Olympics, athletes will not have access to one indulgence: champagne in the village. However, Michaud assured that French specialties and an extensive buffet featuring world cuisine will be available to cater to athletes’ preferences.
According to Sky News, the Paris Olympics represent the most expensive construction project in Olympic history, with an estimated expenditure of around €2 billion (approximately $2.1 billion) by the time the opening ceremony commences in July.
The athletes’ accommodations were also showcased during the tour, featuring a simplistic design with twin beds, shelves, and a small balcony overlooking the City of Love.
With hopes of returning to normalcy after the pandemic-induced delay of the Tokyo Olympics, Christophe Dubi, executive director of the Olympic Games, expressed optimism about the upcoming Paris Games, emphasizing the importance of unity, peace, and celebrating the best athletes.
