Sochi 2014: Olympic Committee Distributes 100K Condoms to Athletes
As the Winter Olympic Games get underway in Sochi, Russia, the International Olympic Committee has begun its usual practice of dispersing 100,000 condoms to competitors staying in Olympic Village.
A representative for the International Olympic Committee confirmed to TMZ that its group would be distributing 100,000 condoms to the 2,800 athletes staying in Olympic Village over a period of 16 days. "The distribution of condoms in the village is part of the IOC's involvement in the HIV and AIDS prevention," an unnamed representative for the IOC told TMZ.
Organizers for this year's winter games have dispersed the nearly 3,000 competitors from 88 countries into three housing areas that make up Olympic Village. The IOC's distribution of condoms is not unfamiliar to the Olympic Games. At the 2012 London Olympic Games, women's soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo told ESPN that "there's a lot of sex going on" at the games, adding that some players have sex "right out in the open" at Olympic Village, including "on the grass, between buildings, people are getting down and dirty." The IOC distributed 150,000 condoms at the 2012 Olympics.
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Eleven-time medal winner Ryan Lochte, who swims for the U.S. team, added to ESPN in 2012 that he estimates "70 percent to 75 percent of Olympians" participate in sexual acts while staying at Olympic Village.
Other athletes have discussed the intensive party atmosphere competitors participate in when their matches are over. Olympic Village can be a particularly hot spot to revel in the celebration because unlimited free alcohol is supplied at the village entertainment centers.
The IOC has released other guidelines for remaining safe at this year's Olympic Games. Some guidelines include "wear seat belts, wash your hands well and often … drink alcohol in moderation and use latex condoms if you have sex."
According to Yahoo! Sports, this year's condoms aren't being handed out to athletes as they enter Olympic Village, but rather are available at local medical tents and reception desks.
Some comments on the Yahoo! Sports article show many are disgusted with the IOC's condom distribution and argue that the Olympic Games should be reserved for athletic competitions, not sexual promiscuity.
"Nasty. I'm sure all their parents are so proud," commented one user, while another wrote, "Is this the Olympics or a love fest? Parents must be so proud of their offspring."
The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics kicked off Thursday in Russia and the games' opening ceremony will air Friday night in the U.S.
