The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are now behind us but discussion about one of the more surprising narratives – a condom shortage – continues to rumble on
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games apparently produced as much action behind the scenes as on the ice or snow, as its competitors suffered from a condom shortage. And a former German long jumper, once dubbed one of the world’s most beautiful athletes, has suggested a reason why.
Milano Cortina 2026 was defined by historic highs and gut-wrenching lows. Home nation Italy bagged an impressive 30 total medals while Brazil picked up winter gold for the very first time in the men’s giant slalom, courtesy of Lucas Pinheiro Braathen.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn’s comeback at the age of 41 ended in disaster, while her nation saw figure skater Alysa Liu gain public admiration and both the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams take home gold.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
However, one rather interesting narrative that emerged from the Olympic Village was the rapid consumption of condoms. Reports suggest the initial supply of 10,000 was depleted in just three days, and former German athlete Susen Tiedtke has a theory as to why.
Suggestions for the reason these Games ran out of the contraceptives so quickly ranged from them being pocketed as gag souvenirs or being resold to there simply not being enough. Reports claim that the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics provided roughly 200,000 condoms for their competitors.
But Tiedtke, 57, who starred in the long jump for Germany and was named one of the most beautiful athletes in the world in 1997, said: “Imagine being on edge for four years preparing for those two weeks at the Olympic Games.
“It’s normal that, after the performance, whatever it may be, you feel enormous relief and the desire to share that feeling with someone. Now, imagine yourself in the Olympic Village with thousands of attractive young people. The response is obvious.”
Tiedtke, who placed fifth in the long jump at the Sydney 2000 Games, also told BILD in 2021: “The athletes are at their physical peak at the Olympics. When the competition is over, they want to release their energy. After the competition, however, roommates were considerate if you needed the room for yourself.
“You always heard the ‘party’ of the others, sometimes you could hardly sleep. There is one party after another, then alcohol comes into play. It happens that people have sex and there are enough people who strive for that.”
The shortage at this year’s Winter Olympics made such a splash that the President of the Lombardy region, Attilio Fontana, was forced to make a statement. He said on social media: “Yes, we provide free condoms to athletes in the Olympic Village. If this seems strange to some, then they are not familiar with the established Olympic practice.
“It started in Seoul in 1988 to raise awareness among athletes and young people about the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, a topic that should not cause shame.”