Athletes blowing off steam post-competition have been known to get a bit wild — and Brazilian officials are ready to hand out millions of rainforest-friendly condoms during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The country boasts stunning natural beauty, and the condoms set to be distributed are sustainably produced in the Amazon using latex gathered from local rubber trees.
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The condoms’ production protects the traditional livelihood of the local community, deters illegal logging and supports sustainable use of the rainforest, abc.net.au reports.
The condoms will also help protect against sexual transmission of Zika virus via bodily fluids.
Of the 9 million condoms to be distributed throughout Rio de Janeiro during the Games, 450,000 are destined for the Olympic Village. That’s a spike from the 70,000 condoms distributed during the 2000 Sydney Games, which quickly ran out forcing officials to order an additional 200,000.
A total of 18,000 people will call the village home, including 10,000 athletes.
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“Athletes staying in the village will be treated like kings. They are, after all, the stars of the show,” the Rio 2016 official website states.
The village is a place for the athletes to relax ahead of competition and let loose after. Rio’s will be the largest athlete’s village in history, organizers say, with round-the-clock snacks and entertainment.
The Games run Aug. 5-21 and the Paralympic Games Sept. 7-18.
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