![The distribution of condoms in Winter Olympics has steadily increased. [Image rights: flickr/flickr.com]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/2/4/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-distribution-of-condoms-in-winter-olympics-has-steadily-increased-image-rights-flickrflickrcom_1814361.jpg "The distribution of condoms in Winter Olympics has steadily increased. [Image rights: flickr/flickr.com]")
The Winter Olympics are around the corner and already preparations to make this sporting event a memorable one are underway. According to DailyMail UK, one of these would include the manufacturing of contraceptive sheaths to be used by athletes and spectators alike all through the duration of this event. Before any prize is won, the organizers make available a record number of Condoms, which could serve as consolation prizes of sorts to nearly 3,000 participants.
Why the spread of condoms?
It's intriguing to know that producing condoms for and during the Olympics has been an age-long practice.
From its onset in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, condoms were distributed to help curb the spread of the HIV virus among all Olympic Games participants. The same was repeated at the 1944 Winter Olympics, 2000 Summer Olympics, and other subsequent editions - all in a bid to delimit the spread of the virus and help raise awareness.
It is fair to say this worthy practice of distributing condoms has endured till this very day. The organizers of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will reportedly produce 110,000 condoms. Hence, this will be the record number of condoms supplied in any Winter Games - 10,000 more than those supplied in the last edition in Sochi, Russia in 2014 and that of Vancouver in 2010.
As such, with about 3,000 athletes from 90 nations, each one goes away with a minimum amount of 37 condoms.
CNN Sports has it that baskets with condoms will be placed in both men's and women's toilets at athletes' villages in Pyeongchang and Gangneung, the main press center, the media village as well as medical centers. It is not expected that the athletes should use these condoms up, but some are meant to be carried home as souvenirs and consolation prizes, as reported by FoxNews.
A means to end animosity
According to DailyMail UK, North Korea arrived with a 32-member delegation led by North Korea Vice Sports Minister Won Kil U, which includes a total number of 10 athletes which, are to compete in alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, and short-track speed skating events. An earlier set of 12 athletes had settled in Pyeongchang since last month though.
South Korea sees the Olympics as an ample opportunity to improve relations and as a means to end animosity with the North, particularly over their nuclear weapons expansionist programs. North Korea has rebuffed attempts to discontinue this program on a permanent basis but agreed to temporarily do so for at least throughout the duration of the Winter Games.
South Korea has taken the initiative to resolve strained diplomatic relations by flying North Korea's flags in Olympic village stadiums and in Pyeongchang and Gangneung and this could serve as a good gesture towards friendlier relations with the North Koreans.
