"Sex is back at the Olympic Games," declared Olympic Village CEO Laurent Michaud - with enthusiasm - at a press conference last week ahead of the Paris Olympics. Michaud announced that 200,000 condoms for men, 20,000 condoms for women, and 10,000 sheets for protected oral sex will be freely distributed to the 14,500 athletes and delegation members staying in the village. That’s about 15 contraceptives per participant!
When Michaud mentioned the return of sex, he was referring to the lack of it at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics during the global COVID-19 pandemic, which required social distancing and a ban on intimate encounters. Condoms were still handed out, but they were intended as "souvenirs."
The distribution of contraceptives at the Olympics is not new; it started at the Seoul 1988 Games amid the AIDS epidemic to prevent the spread of the virus. For London 2012, 150,000 condoms were distributed, and then-Mayor Boris Johnson joked: "I hope the Olympic Games inspire a generation, not create a new one."
Johnson knew his stuff, as dating apps like Tinder and Grindr crashed from overuse during those Olympics. This time around, organizers decided to house all participants in single beds to reduce the chances of group sex, after athletes admitted to participating in kinky orgies during past competitions.
"After winning gold, we got completely drunk and celebrated till the early hours," said Hope Solo, the goalkeeper of the U.S. soccer team at the London Olympics, in an ESPN interview. "Athletes do it everywhere," she added, "even in public places. On the grass, between buildings, people just don’t see it coming."
"There are many rumors about what happens in the Olympic Village. It's a place with very high energy and excitement, releasing endorphins," says sex therapist Dr. Daniela Mazor, a lecturer at the University of Haifa and Jezreel Valley College. "It's a place filled mostly with young people far from home, feeling freer, with many arousing stimuli around them. The myth about sex among athletes, especially at the Olympics, might also play a role – they might be doing it because it's expected."
"I once saw a TV interview with a Paralympic athlete where the interviewer mentioned the sexual activity and couples forming at the Olympics, and asked if similar things happen at the Paralympics. She said, 'Of course. Why wouldn't it? What's the difference?'"
Would you say athletes generally have more sex?
"Athletes usually look good and meet the standards of sexual attractiveness. But does someone who does sports have more sex? Not necessarily. Sometimes excessive focus on the body is a form of escapism and becomes mechanical. Simone Biles, the iconic American gymnast, once said she treated her body like a machine for years, commanding it without really listening, until it collapsed."
"What I'm saying is that people sometimes treat their bodies like machines, with emotional detachment. This is common in sexual therapy. So some athletes might have more sex, but that doesn't mean they enjoy it more. My claim might contradict popular beliefs, but it also doesn't mean athletes don't enjoy sex."
"We found truth in the myth"
Heightened sexual activity among athletes before and during significant competitions contradicts the common belief that to maintain optimal physical abilities, it's better to avoid sex and ejaculation before a competition. For women, the opposite is often believed – that sex before a competition is beneficial and empowering.
This myth dates back to ancient Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics. Legendary American boxer Muhammad Ali perpetuated the modern version, declaring he avoided sex before fights, boasting he abstained for at least six weeks before important bouts.
So is it a myth or is there truth to the abstinence theory? "In a sexuality course at Ben-Gurion University, we found a lack of articles on the subject, so we decided to conduct a study," says Dr. Tal Peleg Sagy, a clinical psychologist and sex therapist.
"We studied a National League soccer team throughout a season, examining the relationship between sexual behavior before games and their physiological performance on the field. Soccer players wear GPS devices that measure running speed, average speed, mileage, sprints, etc. After each game, we asked them about their pre-game behavior – if they had sex or masturbated – and learned their sexual habits."
What were the findings?
"Players don't receive direct instructions to avoid sex before games, but many abstain voluntarily due to the myth. Many believe ejaculation reduces libido and testosterone levels, making them less fit or competitive. In professional leagues, teams often isolate players before games, so sex isn’t an option even if they want to.
"Surprisingly, we found a negative correlation between sex and running speed. The more sex a player had before the game, the slower their running speed and the shorter their distance. Our research supports the myth."
If Olympic participants don’t avoid sexual activity, how do you explain it?
"Studies show increased physiological activity can heighten sexual arousal. There are studies where people rated partners higher after physical activity. The brain sometimes confuses sports hormones with sexual arousal, so it’s not surprising.
"Also, it's a young population, away from home, similar to each other, with a broad common ground, creating intimacy within teams and the village. We must distinguish between pre-game times, when some athletes might abstain, and post-game times before leaving the village, when there’s a big release and more sexual activity."
Is the sexual performance of athletes better than average?
"From clinical experience, sports generally improve sexual performance. Better blood flow, cardiovascular endurance, and hormone release lead to more desire and less depression. Knowing the body teaches attentiveness. Improved body image also makes people more sexually active. The clear recommendation is to engage in sports for better sexuality."
First published: 15:42, 08.01.24