Japan Plans to Distribute 160,000 Free Condoms for Athletes at Tokyo Olympics to Raise Awareness About HIV

By
Megan
-

In a well-meaning gesture aimed at raising awareness about human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), Japan is planning to distribute up to 160,000 condoms at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. 

However, this symbolic gesture could also be potentially misleading, leading the organising committee to make it very clear that the condoms are not supposed to be used in the Olympic Village. 

After all, the pandemic remains at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and increased contact is surely the last thing anyone needs right now.

Japan Plans to Distribute 160,000 Free Condoms for Athletes at Tokyo Olympics to Raise Awareness About HIV

Organisers confirmed in February that condoms will be given for free to participating athletes, despite having released a lengthy 33-page-long document on social distancing regulations that participants have to follow. 

Some of these regulations include banning socialising, hugging, and high-fiving. Athletes are also confined to official game locations, training camps and minimised additional areas.

In addition, all of their movements would have to be tracked and recorded. 

Basically, it doesn’t seem possible for athletes to get frisky.

Athletes are also prohibited from visiting gyms, eateries, and tourist locations, and have to seek authorisation to use public transport. 

If found flouting these regulations, they could be kicked out of the games.

The distribution of condoms therefore seemed to be in direct contradiction with these strict social distancing rules, which has led to many mocking comments online from netizens pointing out this irony. 

Hence, the organising committee has clarified that these condoms are not supposed to be used within the Olympic village, and that athletes should take them home to raise awareness about HIV. 

They raised the International Olympics’ Committee (IOC)’s aim of using the Games as a platform for advocacy regarding the issue. 

Low Support Among Japanese for the Games

The vice-president of the IOC, John Coates, announced that the Olympic Games would still be held even if Tokyo entered a state of emergency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The IOC’s president, Thomas Bach, said that sacrifices had to be made in order for athletes to “make their Olympic dreams come true”. 

This incurred the wrath of Japanese netizens, as many assumed that these “sacrifices” were members of the Japanese public. 

In addition, a recent poll by Kyodo News has shown that around 60% of people in Japan do not want the Tokyo Olympics to proceed amidst the pandemic, indicating low support for the Tokyo Olympics.

There have also been street protests against the Olympic Games, and the Tokyo Medical Practitioners’ Association has even written a letter to the authorities calling for the Olympics to be cancelled. 

Feature Image: Elena Verba / Shutterstock.com

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Megan
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