Paris’ Seine River Hasn’t Been Safe for Swimming for a Century. Is It Ready for Olympians?

Just how likely is it that the athletes will get sick?

The 2024 Summer Olympics officially kick off in Paris on July 26, and whether you’re watching for the inspiring athletics (see: runner Nia Akins, skateboarder Bryce Wettstein, and gymnast Jade Carey) or for the Siene River poop drama, you can’t deny this year’s Olympics is guaranteed to be entertaining—and, for athletes in the Olympic Village, protected. As the first wave of athletes settle into the Olympic and Paralympic Villages, social media is awash with TikTok room tours featuring the now-infamous cardboard beds, the mattresses made of recycled fishing nets (which, yes, look as interesting as they sound), and, of course, the large supply of Olympic-branded condoms found in each bedroom.

In a TikTok posted by Canadian sailor Sarah Douglas, athlete bedrooms are filled with free swag that includes Olympic-themed luggage, a Samsung Galaxy phone (no big deal), and a stack of bright and colorful condoms decorated with the Phryges, the official mascots of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

Each envelope houses one condom and reminds wearers of the importance of consent and protection: “No need to be a gold medalist to wear it!” one envelope reads, while another reads, “On the field of love, play fair. Ask for consent.” As athletes continue to arrive and take photos, more slogans are quickly popping up, with a recent X post showing: “Score a win: Yes to consent, no to STDs” and “Don’t share more than victory, protect yourself against STDs.”

@sarahmdouglas

You know what they say about the village

♬ Funny video “Carmen Prelude” Arranging weakness(836530) – yo suzuki(akisai)

Though the “sexcapades” of the Olympics have become a cultural talking point over the years, the reason for the protection push is, of course, valid—and also noted on the backs of this year’s condoms: “According to WHO, last year, around 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes and 1.3 million people acquired HIV. Protect yourself, test yourself!”

Despite the unofficial “intimacy ban” at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—where organizers attempted to curb physical contact in the wake of COVID-19—more than 150,000 condoms were still made available to athletes four years ago. Now, for the upcoming Paris Games, that number has nearly doubled, according to CNN. With 14,500 people expected to stay within the Olympic Village, organizers are prepared to hand out roughly 230,000 protection options, including 200,000 male condoms; 20,000 “female condoms;” and 10,000 oral dams.

FWIW, Olympic organizers don’t actually expect Village attendees to use their full condom allotment (which, doing some loose math, would come out to more than 20 condoms per athlete), but they’re not taking any risks this year. Instead, a steady supply of (oddly motivational and endearing) condoms will be available throughout the Games, across bedrooms, health clinics, and vending machines.

For more Olympic Village updates, follow along with Well+Good’s continued Olympics coverage via our Summer of Champions series. Looking to watch the Games in real time? NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, but you you can also watch on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Network, CNBC, and E!

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