LOOK: Paris Olympics' mascot-branded condoms make rounds online for its playful packaging
The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee is putting a playful spin on safe sex education for athletes.
Upon arrival at the Olympic Village, the athletes received swag bags containing mascot-branded condoms.
The condom's packaging features Phryges, the official mascot for this year's Olympics, and messages promoting safe sex. Phrases like "Consent is key," "Protect yourself," and "Enjoy responsibly" are printed on each packet.
In an Instagram post, the organizers shared a carousel with photos of the condoms, alongside a reminder to athletes: "In the city of love, let’s stay responsible, happy and healthy!"
"Olympic athletes, you take care of on-the-field action and @paris2024 has you covered off of it," the caption read.
Throughout the Olympic Village, 200,000 male condoms, 20,000 female condoms, and 10,000 oral dams were given out. Athletes can grab whichever condoms they require from the Athlete Resource Center for increased convenience.
Meanwhile, prophylactics were given to 10,500 athletes staying at the Olympic Village and to those staying further afield, including Marseille for sailing and Tahiti for surfing.
According to CBS Sports, handing out condoms at the Olympics has started since the 1988 Seoul Olympics to raise awareness for HIV and AIDS. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, officials gave out 150,000 condoms even though intimacy was banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 saw the highest condom distribution, with organizers providing 450,000 condoms, including 100,000 female condoms.
The Paris Olympics concluded last Aug. 11 with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, saying it had been "sport at its best."
"These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish, or dare I say: Seine-sational Games," the IOC chief said.
The United States topped the Olympics with 126 medals (40 golds, 44 silvers, and 42 bronzes), while the Philippines performed exceptionally well, achieving its highest-ever medal count. The country secured two gold medals in gymnastics and two bronze medals in boxing, placing it in a tie with Hong Kong, China, for 37th place.
