New York, August 25 : Olympic athletes eventually overcame the stress of strict discipline they faced during the two weeks of competition with a final burst of sexual release on the eve of the closing ceremonies in the Olympic Village.

"This sex fest . . . (happened) right here in Beijing," the New York Post quoted Matthew Syed, a past Olympian and table-tennis champion now working as a commentator, as writing in the Times of London.

"Olympic athletes have to display an unnatural - and, it has to be said, wholly unhealthy - level of self-discipline in the build-up to big competitions. How else is this going to manifest itself than with a volcanic release of pent-up hedonism?" he wrote.

He said that big winners were the principal objects of desire for many female athletes, included those "as geeky as Michael Phelps".

Even losers got their share, he said, adding that it was "a common sight to see recently knocked-out athletes gorging on Magnums and McDonald's, swilling alcohol and, of course, shagging like crazy."

The Beijing Government ensured the supply of free condoms so that the competitors would practice safe sex.

One Australian athlete said: "It is unbelievable in there; everyone is totally crazy once they are out of their competitions."

ANI