Unauthorized Condoms Breaks Olympic Sponsor Rules

Unauthorized Condoms Break Olympic Rules

Everything in sports comes with a media sponsor these days. This is even true with the debauchery that is the Olympic village. Young athletes in the prime of their physicality have been known to engage in less than family-friendly activities during their time off from competition.

The Olympic organizers have recognized this, and since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics condoms have been provided to the athletes. Durex, one of the more well-known brands in America, was the sole provider this year.

Scandal broke out when a bucket of Kangaroo condoms was photographed and placed online by Australian Caroline Buchanan. The Kangaroo brand is manufactured by competitor Ansell Ltd., and Durex was quick to action. Having paid for the right to provide their condoms, Durex and the Olympic organizers looked to prevent free publicity for other companies not part of the sponsorship.

No evidence of foul play by Ansell Ltd. could be found, and the company has told the Olympic organizers that knew nothing of the bucket found in the Olympic village.

“We will look into this and ask that they are not handed out to other athletes because Durex are our supplier,” a spokeswoman told the Guardian. Both Ansell and Pasante wisely denied that their companies played any role in putting the condoms there.

Durex has sent about 150,000 free condoms to the athletes’ village.