At Paris Olympics 2024, Athletes Receive Condoms With Mascot Phryge And Cheeky Slogans

The 2024 Paris Olympics has lifted the intimacy ban that was in place during the 2020 Tokyo Games due to COVID-19 precautions. Unlike the previous event, where athletes were restricted from physical contact to prevent the spread of the virus, the ongoing games have allowed athletes more freedom. Continuing a tradition that began at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, condoms are once again being provided to promote HIV and AIDS awareness. This year, the condoms at Paris Olympics Village feature the quirky red mascot, Phryge, and come in colourful packets with fun captions. Alongside the vibrant design, the packets also include important reminders for athletes to be respectful and careful.

According to the Olympics website, nearly 3 lakh condoms were distributed among the 14,250 athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This included 2 lakh male condoms, 20,000 female condoms, and 10,000 oral dams, all provided in the Olympic Village. The condoms, featuring the cute mascot Phryge, also promote safe sex with catchy slogans. Some of the slogans include: “No need to be a gold medallist to wear it,” “Fair play, safe play, consent first,” and “Score a win: yes to consent, no to STDs.” Another packet reads, “Don’t share more than victory. Protect yourself against STDs,” while a final one advises, “On the field of love, play fair. Ask for consent.”

While condoms are back in the Olympic games, champagne is still off the menu for the athletes. Speaking to Sky News, Laurent Michaud, director of the village, said, “Working with the athletes’ commission, we wanted to create some places where the athletes would feel very enthusiastic and comfortable. No champagne in the village, of course, but they can have all the champagne they want also in Paris. We will have more than 350 metres of buffet with the world food and I’m sure that the athletes will be very happy to have some French specialties made over here. But the variety will first respond to the athletes’ needs for their nutrition and their performance.”

The Olympic Village for the 2024 Paris Games is reportedly the most expensive project, as it was built for around €2 billion.