The Olympics are celebrated globally as a pinnacle of athletic achievement, but beneath the surface, a different kind of competition often takes place. As athletes from across the world converge in one location, stories of sexual encounters in the Olympic Village have become almost as common as the medal ceremonies themselves.

The Olympic Village, a temporary home for thousands of young, fit individuals at the height of their physical prowess, creates a unique environment ripe for romance and physical connections. In a 2018 interview with Cosmopolitan, several athletes were asked about the prevalence of sexual activity in the Olympic Village and whether they participated. The most notable response came from alpine ski racer Lauren Ross, who, with a playful valley girl accent, openly admitted, “I hooked up with everyone.”

Skeleton athlete John Daly also commented on the frequent hookups among athletes, attributing it to the close living quarters and the youthful energy that pervades the Village. “In the Olympic Village, it happens incredibly,” Daly said. “Good-looking athletes, perfect bodies, tight spandex. Of course, there’s going to be some hooking up. Would you expect anything else?”

Paralympic athletes echoed similar sentiments, with Alpine skier Andrew Kirka humorously noting, “The condoms are Olympic strong,” while sled hockey athlete Rico Roman hinted at the discreet nature of these encounters, saying, “What happens in the Olympic Village stays in the Olympic Village.”

Not every athlete shared explicit details, especially those in committed relationships, but the general consensus suggests that many find ways to unwind after the rigorous demands of competition. Although some stories may be exaggerated, the distribution of around 300,000 condoms for the Paris 2024 Olympians lends credibility to these reports, averaging out to about two condoms per person per day.

The ongoing Paris Olympics have also attracted attention for less glamorous reasons, including a recent incident where a triathlete vomited multiple times on live television after swimming in the polluted Seine River, highlighting the challenges that come with hosting such a massive global event.