Condom Free-for-all of Olympic Proportions
Most people won’t know Eric. In fact, no one on social media knew him until the Olympic Games in Rio. Eric broke the internet when his picture, shown carrying a bag of condoms, was tweeted and retweeted. He, along with other staff, were hired for the sole purpose of handing out condoms to Olympic athletes. Olympic coordinators provided 450,000 condoms this year, to serve over 10,500 athletes and staff, encouraging them to practice “safe sex.” That number is up from 150,000 that were handed out in London just 4 years earlier.
Soccer star, Hope Solo, told ESPN in 2013, “With a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you want to build memories, whether it’s sexual, partying or on the field.” After all the hours spent training, sweating, putting in so much effort and disciplining their bodies, it is hard to imagine an Olympian of any caliber feeling empty and searching for fulfillment in sex during one of the most intense competitions of their lives. Wouldn’t you think competing in another country, in front of millions of fans and winning medals would bring deep satisfaction? That it would be enough? What are these Olympic athletes searching for that competing in the Olympics cannot provide? If competing at that level, winning medal after medal, & being the best in the world still leaves them empty – is “safe sex” going to be the thing that fills their empty spot? Or will it be just another let down that leaves them feeling even more empty?
You don’t have to be an Olympian to feel this way. Almost everyone can relate to that complex group of feelings. I mean really, most of us have searched for that one thing that will help us feel whole inside only to later realize whatever we found has only left us feeling emptier. How about you? Is there something you thought would help you feel whole, but it didn’t? A new boyfriend? Or Girlfriend? More money? Hooking Up? Trophies? Drugs?
You’re not alone.
Many studies have been conducted by the World Health Organization and research by Open-Access Journal BMC Medicine; both agree that the wealthiest nations, the USA and France, have higher rates of depression than poorer countries, with many having their first depressive episodes at 24 years old. Rates of depression in youth are even higher when they’re involved in sex (even “safe sex”) outside of marriage.
Are you searching for joy, love and acceptance in things that have left you an empty, exhausted shell? Do you have questions about relationships and sex? At Starting Point, we have resources and answers. We’re here for you. You’re not alone. Contact us today & start here on your journey to feel whole.
