STORY: The Milano Cortina Olympics reached the halfway mark on Saturday (February 14), having avoided any major crisis so far, leaving organisers brimming with happiness despite enduring rollercoaster preparations for years to get the Games ready on time.

However, one inconvenience occurred on Valentine's day, in fact according to Italian newspapers free condoms are out of stock in the Olympic villages.

Games CEO Andrea Varnier told Reuters after a press conference on Saturday that they are aware of the issue and are "working to provide as many condoms as possible in the (Olympic) villages".

While past Olympics traditionally struggled with teething problems, the Games in Italy have so far gone off without a hitch, with ticket sales currently at 85%, or 1.27 million sold.

"The real challenge for us was not the operational aspect of transportation, but rather be sure that the Olympic atmosphere could be experienced and felt in every location", said Varnier during a halfway press conference on Saturday.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VERONA, ITALY (FEBRUARY 13, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF HEART-SHAPED ORNAMENTS HANGING IN STREET

2. PEOPLE PUTTING HEART-SHAPED LOCKS TO MAKE A WISH OUTSIDE JULIET'S HOME IN VERONA

3. HEART-SHAPED LOCK

MILANO, ITALY (FEBRUARY 14, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) CEO OF THE MILANO CORTINA 2026 FOUNDATION, ANDREA VARNIER, SAYING:

"It is a wonderful day, (in which) everybody is happy, athletes, media, organizers, with their partners, and yes, I know there has been this request, we are working to provide as many condoms as possible in the (Olympic) villages. But anyway, today it's the day of love, so, let's all love each other".

VERONA, ITALY (FEBRUARY 13, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

5. COUPLE KISSING

MILANO, ITALY (FEBRUARY 14, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

6. VARNIER ARRIVING FOR PRESS CONFERENCE

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CEO OF THE MILANO CORTINA 2026 FOUNDATION, ANDREA VARNIER, SAYING:

“We’re very happy halfway and that’s why we wanted to, you know, show these numbers, because these numbers are very important, and despite the difficult, difficulties are always present when you organise such large event. So, we’re happy, in particular with the hockey venue. I think if you had the opportunity to see and go, it's fantastic. I had the opportunity to be there last night, the atmosphere was amazing, was really amazing. So, I think a lot of work was done, but what matters is what comes up during the Games, and even the Sliding Center in Cortina is extremely successful, and, of course, the Italians winning medals makes it even better, and for us as organizers, and, so, we are definitely very, very happy at this point with the Games, but we know we still have a week ahead, and we are very focused on making sure that the Games continue to be a success”.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY (FILE) (REUTERS - Access all) (MUTE)

8. DRONE VIEW OF SLIDING CENTRE

MILANO, ITALY (FEBRUARY 14, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) CEO OF THE MILANO CORTINA 2026 FOUNDATION, ANDREA VARNIER, SAYING:

“We are fully aware that we are pioneers in this model of Games (editors note: refers to Games held across several venues), so, we knew we would face many challenges, most of which seem to have been overcome after the first week. I believe that transports were definitely an important issue. We are learning a lot. We also made some adjustments during the first week, but the figures Andrea showed you earlier still demonstrate a remarkable ability to move people in very, very complex geographical contexts."

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY (FILE - JANUARY 21, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (MUTE)

10. DRONE VIEW OVER OLYMPIC ICE STADIUM

11. VARIOUS OF DRONE VIEW OVER TOWN

MILANO, ITALY (FEBRUARY 14, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) CEO OF THE MILANO CORTINA 2026 FOUNDATION, ANDREA VARNIER, SAYING:

“The real challenge for us was not the operational aspect of transportation, but rather be sure that the Olympic atmosphere could be experienced and felt in every location in which these spread Olympic Games were held. I believe that anyone who went to Livigno, Bormio, Anterselva, Cortina, or Val di Fiemme experienced this. So, I believe this is the most important challenge we have overcome”.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY (FILE - JANUARY 21, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (MUTE)

13. DRONE VIEW OVER TOFANE ALPINE SKIING CENTRE WITH SNOW CANNONS IN ACTION

14. DRONE VIEW OVER TOWN

MILANO, ITALY (FEBRUARY 14, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) CEO OF THE MILANO CORTINA 2026 FOUNDATION, ANDREA VARNIER, SAYING:

“But the future is already here, because there are the French Alpine Games, and we are already talking with our French colleagues. They have carried out a very, very intensive observation programme here with us, so, I believe that our experience will certainly be useful for the Olympic movement in general”.

LIVIGNO, ITALY (RECENT - FEBRUARY 6, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

16. VARIOUS OF OLYMPIC RINGS