WaPo Says World Cup's 'Most Essential Accessory' Is Condoms

Thursday's Washington Post Express tabloid carried the headline "Health Activists Eye World Cup." When the world "health" breaks in before "activist," sadly, you can often define that as a sly euphemism you could replace more accurately with "sex." Post reporter Liz Clarke offered an interesting definition of the tournament's most essential accessory, which isn't cleats or Gatorade or even sunscreen: 

Slathered in face paint, toting samba drums and waving national flags, the world's most ardent soccer fans are streaming into South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. And they're being met by a host of reminders not to forget the tournament's most essential accessory: a condom.

She forwarded how AIDS activists pressured FIFA, the World Cup organizers, of being "half-hearted" in condom promotion, and noted Cape Town hoteliers are offering condoms with the slogan "Play It Safe in Cape Town." Then Clarke offered an  update. FIFA bowed to the sexual entitlement mentality: free condoms have now been offered in eight-packs for women (do they each have a day of the week inscribed?)

Cases of condoms (bundled in packets of eight) were prominently displayed and free for the taking in the women's restrooms at Soccer Stadium for Friday's World Cup stadium, evidence of FIFA's awareness of and commitment to the need to confront the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the host nation.

The "Choice" brand condoms were provided by South Africa's Department of Health, and the packaging included a toll-free number for the AIDS Hotline, as well as a six-panel illustration of proper use and disposal.

Related: Brent Bozell on FIFA's half-hearted response to massive influx of prostitutes for World Cup