The decision to provide free condoms to participating athletes has sparked strong opposition from parent groups in South Korea. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
GANGNEUNG, Jan. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — The organizing committee of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics’ decision to provide free condoms to participating athletes has sparked strong opposition from parent groups in South Korea.
On January 23, the National Parent Association released a statement criticizing the move: “Distributing condoms at the Youth Olympics, which should be a platform for fostering healthy bodies and sound minds, is an act that undermines the spirit of the Olympics.”
The association condemned the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its rationale, stating it is highly inappropriate to distribute condoms to youth, labeling the act as a poor excuse that caters to teenagers’ curiosity. They argued that if such practices continue, the Youth Olympics should be abolished.
Previously, the Winter Youth Olympics organizing committee revealed that its medical team had secured 3,000 condoms, distributing 2,500 in the Gangneung Wonju University Athletes’ Village and 500 in the medical room of the Jeongseon High1 Athletes’ Village, available for athletes as needed.
The IOC believes it is essential to offer condoms to Youth Olympic participants. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The tradition of distributing condoms to athletes first began at the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. Since then, providing condoms at the Olympics has become a customary practice to ensure the safe sexual health of athletes.
The IOC believes it is essential to offer condoms to Youth Olympic participants, who are in the peak of their sexual energy and curiosity. Similar initiatives were undertaken at the 2018 Buenos Aires Summer Youth Olympics and the 2020 Lausanne Winter Youth Olympics, where condoms were freely provided in the athletes’ villages.
Condom distribution at athlete villages in South Korea began with the 1988 Seoul Olympics, when 8,500 condoms were distributed to prevent the spread of AIDS, following the first AIDS patient case in the country.
The practice continued and significantly increased during the 2016 Rio Olympics, where 450,000 condoms were distributed, partly as a measure against the Zika virus outbreak in South America, with several condom vending machines installed for this purpose.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
