Rio Olympics' 450,000 Condoms: A Printed Packaging Angle on Brand Messaging
The Associated Press reports that the Rio Olympics plans to distribute 450,000 condoms to athletes, equal to about 42 per athlete. For comparison, London 2012 made only 150,000 available, so Rio's total is three times that figure. That contrast has led some observers to label the Games 'the most vulgar sports event.'
The increase is partly due to a broader product mix: alongside 350,000 male condoms, 100,000 female condoms are being added. Officials also said 175,000 packs of lubricant would be provided. Athletes can obtain them at clinics in the Olympic Village and from 41 vending machines.
According to Slate, the practice of supplying condoms to Olympic athletes began at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, when 8,500 were provided. It has continued since, with volumes rising over time: 90,000 at Barcelona 1992; another 15,000 added at Atlanta 1996; 70,000 initially planned for Sydney 2000, followed by 20,000 more after supplies ran out mid-Games; 130,000 donated by Durex for Athens 2004; and, at Beijing 2008, packaging printed with the motto 'Faster, Higher, Stronger.'
A Brazilian newspaper noted that the higher condom count in Rio is unrelated to the Zika virus, which can be transmitted sexually. Still, it gives 1,000 athletes more opportunities for safer sex.
Zac Purchase, an Olympic rowing gold and silver medalist, said: 'The quantity this time is very large, but the reality is not what people may assume. This is not some concentrated sexual activity; we are talking about athletes focused on delivering their best performance.'
Source: China Packaging Network (pack.cn); original link: http://news.pack.cn/news-324343.html
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