Puzzled That Olympians Get Free Condoms Amid COVID Restrictions? Here is Why
12:35 GMT 27.01.2022 (Updated: 15:30 GMT 28.01.2022)
© REUTERS / TYRONE SIU
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COVID-19 measures set in place for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing instruct personnel and athletes within the closed loop "bubble" to steer clear of hugs, high-fives and handshakes, no matter how tempted they might be in the scintillating atmosphere.
They come individually packed in different-coloured envelopes, decorated with an image of a Chinese lantern, and they will be available free of charge to athletes in abundance… That’s right, Beijing Winter Olympics organizers have every intention of making condoms available within the so-called closed-loop “bubble” system designed to guard against spreading COVID-19.
"All Olympic-related units will provide appropriate quantities of condoms for free at the appropriate time to people who've checked in to stay inside the loop," stated organizers in an email cited by Reuters on Tuesday.
The statement failed to clarify just how many they deemed an “appropriate” quantity.
Detailed social distancing guidelines announced for the duration of the Winter Olympics from 4-20 February in three clusters, Beijing, Yanqing, and Zhangjiakou, instruct athletes to minimize physical interactions such as hugs, high-fives and handshakes and to maintain a social distance of at least two meters from fellow competitors.
Furthermore, the "closed-loop management system" strictly separates athletes and other Games personnel from the public.
The closed loop encompasses living quarters, competition venues, training venues and other official facilities that are off-limits to the public.
Gold, Silver, Bronze, Latex Supply
One might wonder how the condom galore makes any sense amid tough coronavirus restrictions set in place, and whether the organizers expect the scintillating atmosphere of the games to unleash particularly unbridled cravings among those converging to tussle for sports trophies.
The explanation is simple – tradition. Or rather, a newly-minted custom dating to the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. At the time the giveaway was touted as a way to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS. From then on, distribution of condoms continued, varying in quantities.
The Olympic torch towers above the Olympic stadium in Seoul Sept. 17, 1988, during the opening ceremonies for the summer Olympic Games in Seoul. (File)
© AP Photo / Mark Duncan
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece, Athens 130,000 condoms were on offer, donated by manufacturer Durex, coupled with 30,000 sachets of lubricant … "to smooth the performance of the world’s elite sports people in the arena and under the covers."The condoms will come in an individual pack, with an instruction leaflet in various languages,” said a spokeswoman for Durex Greece.
"The condoms will come in an individual pack, with an instruction leaflet in various languages,” said a spokeswoman for Durex Greece.
The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing witnessed 100,000 latex items brought in with the motto ‘faster, higher, stronger,’ as cited by Huffington Post.
Ahead of last summer's Tokyo Games, held on 23 July-8 August, organizers said that they were going to distribute about 150,000 condoms, claiming that the International Olympic Committee had requested they adhere to the newly-minted tradition.
However, in Japan athletes were urged to take the prophylactics to indulge in bedtime frolics at home rather than use them in the Olympic village, citing pandemic measures set in place.
The opening ceremony of the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
© Sputnik / Алексей Куденко
/ The Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016 saw a record number of condoms handed out to athletes - 450,000. This quantity was explained by the fact that 100,000 female condoms were available for the first time, along with 350,000 condoms for men.
Ahead of last summer's Tokyo Games, held on 23 July-8 August, organisers said that they were going to distribute about 150,000 condoms, claiming that the International Olympic Committee had requested they adhere to the newly-minted tradition.
However, in Japan athletes were urged to take the prophylactics to indulge in bedtime frolics at home rather than use them in the Olympic village, citing the pandemic measures set in place.
Netizens weighed on how athletes were expected to “socially distance” while”engaging in sexual activity”. Some erupted in memes, letting their fantasies loose.
When world class level athletic bodies are in close proximity, meshing naturally occurs.
— Orchid 🌸 (@finance_orchid) January 25, 2022
Hugs = WAY TOO SEXUAL AND INTIMIDATE!
— Floofy Feline, Fluff Detective (@JusticeForGame1) January 25, 2022
Sex = Take these condoms! All the condoms! Don't let us stop you!
I see only one way to make this work 😂 pic.twitter.com/CGtVbboa5V
— Alyss 42 #FreePengShuai (@Calyss11) January 26, 2022
I mean they are gonna fuck even if they don't have condoms. You have all of the world's most physically fit people in one area. Its gonna happen even if there is a pandemic.
— Drewie-Pie (@AmonsJasa) January 26, 2022
Come on, we gotta be a little bit realistic. What are attractive & athletic people going to do when locked up in an apartment building for two weeks? I think there might a really show or two or three similar to this situation
— Rob Voelker (@robvoelker) January 26, 2022
they be like!
— average summer (@summeryim1) January 26, 2022
hug is temporary
sex is permanent
please wear a condom during any air hugs you may participate in
— ducks (@ghostoftarth) January 25, 2022
people are gonna do what they're gonna do, might as well have them not adding STDs to their covid
— Jodi Beggs (@jodiecongirl) January 25, 2022
they know this is a high-stress environment. sometimes adults destress by doin adult activities. trying to pretend nobody is going to sneak off to mambo is ridiculous, providing protection will at least mean they wont have accidental pregnancies or spread STDs.
— bonk (@birdappweirdtho) January 25, 2022
