Preparations continue for the 2021 Olympic Games, despite the ongoing pandemic and public opposition, and various downsizing measures that have divorced the events almost completely from the host city.
In the latest development, the athletes will have to endure many rules and restrictions on their activities at the Olympic Village during their stay. This includes regulations on fraternization and leaving their rooms. Organizers don’t even want athletes eating in groups. Or sleeping together, it seems.
Famously, the Olympic Village serves to facilitate a lot of sex: thousands of athletes who are young, fit and virile all thrown together for a couple of weeks . . . Inevitably, they don’t spend the whole time in their own bedrooms.
But, as widely reported in the media, the organizers have also effectively attempted to ban sex in the Olympic Village among the thousands of athletes. As is an Olympic tradition, there are 160,000 free condoms provided — but the organizers have asked athletes not to have sex and risk spreading the virus. Instead, they want athletes to take their condoms home with them as a souvenir to promote safe sex and Aids awareness.
The latest Olympic playbook (rulebook) says athletes must “avoid unnecessary forms of physical contact.” This includes sex, organizers were forced to clarify. Athletes who break the social distancing rules face fines, disqualification, or even deportation.
Japanese manufacturers wanted to use the Olympics as a way to market their products, especially their renowned ultra-thin condoms made of polyurethane. But once again, the International Olympic Committee’s rules proved draconian and manufacturers were only permitted to provide thicker, latex condoms.
