Former Olympian explains why there is so much sex between athletes during games
An ex-Olympian has revealed why so much sex happens in the Olympic Village during the games.
It's an odd thing to hear from the outside, but it turns out that athletes get the tendency to enjoy themselves that bit too much when they're closed off from the outside world during those competitive two weeks.
In fact, since the 1980s', condoms have been handed out at the beginning of each Olympic games to ensure that the athletes are safe when they have sex, even though it is discouraged by the organisation.
Known as the pinnacle of sports, athletes are known to dedicate their lives to competing - which requires incredibly busy and sometimes unreasonable training schedules during the year, leaving little time for socialising.
Advert
COVID is no longer a factor like it was in Tokyo in 2021, so certain athletes will surely be thrilled with the prospect of being cooped up with other fellow sportspeople.
Former Olympian Susen Tiedtke spoke to the New York Post back in July 2021, saying that sex at the Olympics is 'inevitable no matter what'.
Outsiders may not view it as a lads/gals holiday, but it is looking increasingly like it for the sportspeople who have worked their arses off for the last four years to make it this far.
It turns out that competing on such a big stage - and potentially even winning a medal or breaking a record - can get the hormones going as the endorphins released are sure to put your sex drive through the roof.
Tiedtke, a German former long jumper who competed in the Olympics in 1992 and 2000, explained: “The athletes are at their physical peak at the Olympics. When the competition is over, they want to release their energy.”
Sex expert and relationship therapist Tammy Nelson weighed in on the topic with some science to back her points up, adding: “With the right amount of anticipation, adrenaline and dopamine can suppress stress and even decrease negative thoughts and feelings of guilt and stress.
“It may contribute to a heightened awareness of our feelings and can intensify our sexual desire."
It's that boost of confidence our ego seems to get, and the adrenaline that we get when doing something big - whether it be performing, doing a big presentation or winning at an event, you feel amazing after completing it.
So upon reflection, it may not be so surprising that when you feel great about yourself, we feel like releasing that energy through sex.
Nelson further explained: “Hormones like serotonin, epinephrine and dopamine are brain chemicals that influence sex drive and sexual arousal.”
Serotonin is the happy hormone, so when you're pleased and feeling accomplished, your body releases serotonin - now imagine you've just won an Olympic gold medal, the serotonin levels would be unprecedented.
Dopamine is known as the 'feel-good' hormone and neurotransmitter, it's crucial to your brain's reward system and your body will no doubt release this in abundance if you were to set a new Olympic or World record.
Nelson also highlighted the importance of 'variety in sex', which might explain why athletes seem to go around like it's spring break in the Olympic Village.
“Sexual variety can increase the releases of adrenaline, dopamine and other chemicals that contribute to thrill and adventure and may, for some, make the pursuit of sex more rewarding,” she concluded.
The Paris 2024 Olympics kick off this Friday (26 July).
Topics: Olympics, Sex and Relationships, Sport
Joshua Nair