The athletes’ village at Milano-Cortina 2026 reportedly ran out of free condoms, while 1936 Berlin Olympics T-shirts sold out on the IOC website amid criticism

The athletes’ village at the 2026 Winter Olympics has reportedly run out of condoms after 10,000 free “Milano-Cortina 2026” branded packets were quickly snapped up by competitors.

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With around 3,000 athletes competing in Italy, Lombardy governor Attilio Fontana had earlier urged participants to prioritise health and prevention, saying: “Health first: concrete prevention and common sense.”

According to Italian newspaper La Stampa, supplies were exhausted within three days. Organisers have reportedly assured athletes that more stock will arrive.

The free distribution of condoms has been a longstanding Olympic practice dating back to the 1988 Summer Olympics, introduced to promote awareness about sexually transmitted infections.

The number distributed at the Winter Games marks a significant reduction compared to the 2024 Summer Olympics, where approximately 300,000 condoms were made available to about 10,000 athletes — roughly 30 per competitor.

Spanish figure skater Olivia Smart recently shared a video from inside the athletes’ village showcasing the limited-edition condoms, which featured the Lombardy region’s yellow logo.

While some speculate that athletes may be collecting the branded items as souvenirs rather than using them, Olympic officials maintain that providing free protection remains a public health initiative.

1936 Berlin Olympics T-Shirts Spark Debate

In a separate development, T-shirts featuring posters from the 1936 Summer Olympics have reportedly sold out on the website of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The 1936 Games, held under Nazi rule in Germany, were widely regarded as a propaganda platform for Adolf Hitler’s regime. The sale of related merchandise has drawn criticism from some quarters in Germany, with calls for the IOC to withdraw the items.

The IOC, however, has defended the product as part of its heritage collection. Despite the controversy, men’s versions of the shirt have sold out in all sizes, while shirts depicting other historic editions — including Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 and London 1908 — remain available.

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The twin controversies — one centred on Olympic village supplies and the other on historical merchandise — have added unexpected headlines to the build-up of the Winter Games in Italy.