Condom Olympics penetrates UA Mall


By Sarah Stanton
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Friday, February 13, 2004

UA students threw, blew and were pelted with condoms during yesterday's Condom Olympics on the Mall as part of Sexual Responsibility Week.

Two teams with two people each headed off in a series of competitions, including a condom water-balloon toss, condom trivia and a latex tower challenge.

The trivia included multiple-choice questions like "What is the scientific name of a penis?" and "What is the most effective method of birth control?"

One of the participants guessed that "withdrawal" was the most effective method of birth control, but most of the questions were answered correctly.

The audience and participants enjoyed the condom toss, though a water-filled condom hit one onlooker.

In the latex tower challenge, the teams tried to build the highest and most creative tower using condoms and dental dams.

One team blew up the condoms to add to their tower, which was made in the shape of a vagina.

Bridgette Gallagher, the special events director for the University Activities Board, said, "This event shows that sex can be fun but safe at the same time. It is a serious issue, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun."

Onlookers were invited to sign a poster and pledge that they would have safer sex, and everyone was given flavored condoms.

The winners of the Olympics were given gift certificates to Landmark clothing store and Zona 78 restaurant.

Lee Ann Hamilton, health educator and sexual health specialist for Campus Health Service, said she was pleased to see so much student involvement in Sexual Responsibility Week.

"It was a much bigger week because of the collaboration between student groups and campus departments," she said.