The millions of visitors expected this summer for the Olympic and Paralympic Games pose the risk of the spread of sexually transmitted infections to the event.
- Chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea and even HIV: these sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are spread during unprotected sexual intercourse, are statistically more likely to spread during large festive gatherings such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games from Paris, where some 15 million visitors are expected.
- According to an Inserm researcher, “we will have to prepare for the possibility of an increase in emergency situations for prescriptions for post-exposure treatment against HIV or STI screenings […] This will impact emergency services.”
- However, estimating the danger remains difficult because, on the one hand, most infected people do not have visible symptoms, and on the other hand these symptoms may only appear after the visitors return to their country of origin. ‘origin. The increase in STI cases could therefore be effective, but remain invisible during the Games.
Should we fear the next Olympic and Paralympic Games in terms of health? While up to 15 million visitors are expected in Paris for the competition which will open in five months to the day, on July 26, the risk of a wave of sexually transmitted infections seems to loom over the event, according to BFM TV.
The rise in sexually transmitted infections during large gatherings
Chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea or even HIV: these sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are spread during unprotected sexual intercourse, are statistically more likely to spread during large festive gatherings such as concerts and festivals. .. or sports competitions. Who says more contact, indeed says more sexual relations. The Japanese authorities were particularly concerned about this before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, as were the Australian services before those in Sydney in 2000.
In January, epidemiologist Dominique Costagliola sounded the alarm in a article published in an Inserm journal. “On the ground, we will have to prepare for the possibility of an increase in emergency situations for prescriptions for post-exposure treatment against HIV or STI screenings”she writes, believing that “This will impact emergency services.” As such, the scientist calls on sexual health centers to communicate more about the risks and to “facilitate free access to condoms”.
STI: 200,000 condoms distributed to athletes
However, estimating the danger remains difficult because, on the one hand, most infected people do not have visible symptoms, and on the other hand these symptoms may only appear after the visitors return to their country of origin. ‘origin. The increase in STI cases could therefore be effective, but remain invisible during the Games. Thus, Public Health France confines itself to saying that it does not expect“increase in the number of STI diagnoses during the period” : even if not diagnosed as such, infections could still occur. The agency is therefore planning an awareness campaign ahead of the competition, from June 3 to 9, during sexual health week.
To limit the risks of STIs, the organizers of Paris 2024 are also banking on prevention campaigns aimed at athletes. “We will provide protection devices of several types: male and female condoms, with or without latex as well as oral dams”explain to BFM Laurent Dalard, the director of prevention and Philippe Le Van, the “Chief Medical Officer” of Paris 2024. In total, more than 200,000 condoms will be distributed.
