Passion at the Paralympics

The scene at the Paralympics opening ceremony

Paralympians have been breaking records in the bedroom - after a whopping 50,000 condoms were snapped up at the Sydney Games.

Competitors have been making the most of the friendliness of the event, with a surge in demand for contraceptives in the athletes' village.

The staggering condom count has been racked up after just eight days.

The total equates to an average of about seven condoms per athlete or official staying in the Games village.

Condoms and lubricants of all colours and flavours are stored in a giant goldfish bowl in the medical centre, which is refilled every day.

Fresh supplies

"I suspect 50,000 have been used," village medical programme manager Patsy Trethowan said on Thursday.

And there appears no letting up in the sexual arousal of athletes, with a second batch of 20,000 condoms shipped in to replenish supplies.

One competitor who readily admits sex is high among his priorities is Australian swimmer Alex Harris.

After winning silver in the 100m freestyle on Wednesday night, he told reporters: "I'm gonna get sex tonight."