Free condoms will be available at accommodation providers and venues during the Pacific Games in Samoa this July.
Photo: akz/123RF
More than 1000 boxes of condoms have been put aside for use during the Games, which will be distributed at the Games Village and other locations where athletes and officials will be accommodated in both Savaii and Upolu.
Complimentary condoms are a regular feature of international sporting events, with 110,000 provided for athletes attending last year's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea, while the International Olympic Committee distributed 350,000 male condoms, 100,000 female condoms, and 175,000 packets of lubricant to athletes at the Rio Summer Games in 2016.
Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama Photo: Samoa government
Samoa's outgoing Minister of Health said the intention of the ministry is to make the condoms available in case athletes are in a position where it is needed for health reasons.
"Free condoms do not mean they must be used." said Tuitama Dr Leao Talalelei Tuitama.
According to Newsline Samoa, Tuitama said the Ministry's preference is for athletes to avoid sexual contact.
"We would like to see that they do not get into situations where they would have to use condoms," Tuitama said.
The Games Organising committee estimate more than 4,500 athletes and officials will travel to Samoa for the Pacific Games, which gets underway on July 7.