IOC Executive Board Press Conference
MILAN - Comments from IOC President Kirsty COVENTRY (ZIM), Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe DUBI (SUI), IOC Sports Director Pierre DUCREY (SUI), and IOC Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365 James MACLEOD (GBR) in a press conference at the Main Press Centre on Sunday.
Kirsty COVENTRY (ZIM) - IOC President
On preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games:
“The preparations are going extremely well. The team is working very hard. The Milano Cortina organising committee, ourselves and all the stakeholders are working very well together. We are exactly where we need to be.”
On the geography of Milano Cortina 2026:
“It’s a little bit more spread out. That decision was to be adaptable to the new norms, including climate change. The organisation has given the best possible opportunities to all stakeholders to be as successful as in any other Games.
“We have not had any challenges so far. There are a few longer distances from venue to venue, but everyone is very well-prepared.
“I am very excited about the Games. They will be at world-class venues, at the most iconic and beautiful places in Italy, and I think the athletes are going to have a fantastic time.”
On recent developments regarding the Chairman of LA 2028, Casey WASSERMAN (USA):
“We didn’t discuss it yesterday (at the IOC Executive Board meeting) and Mr WASSERMAN has put out his statement, and we have nothing further to add.
“I have not been in any contact with Casey. The focus has been fully on Milano Cortina. In terms of IOC Members, we are watching and monitoring the media. We are aware of some of the things reported today, and we need some time to look at it.”
On the reaction in Italy to the presence of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Milano Cortina 2026:
“From all the information we have, the US authorities have made all the clarifications needed, so from our side it is not for us to further comment on that part of the security. But we are really looking forward to the Games. There are some exhilarating events happening, and we are very excited to get the Games going. We look forward to the Opening Ceremony.”
On non-sporting distractions:
“Anything distracting from these Games is sad but we have learned over many years there has always been something that has taken the lead leading up to the Games, whether it’s related to communities, Zika (virus), Covid - there has always been something.
“But what is keeping my faith alive is when that Opening Ceremony happens and those athletes start competing, the magic and spirit of the Games remind us what is important and they get to be inspired.”
On Pope Leo XIV endorsing the Olympic Truce:
“I am just happy more and more people are acknowledging the Olympic Truce and the message from the Pope sends another message to anyone, and I am grateful for that.”
On her first Games as IOC President:
“I am very proud this is the first Games under my presidency. There is so much to be excited about aside from iconic venues and the incredible organisation committee. We are going to see remarkable athletes live out their Olympic dreams. That’s the best part of the Olympic Games. They showcase and inspire us.
”When you look at the past and now, there are so many lessons learned, and one of the greatest things we took from Beijing 2022, when we were in the planning stages, (was) we used a lot more technology to develop our venues and that’s been extremely helpful.
”We have, for the first time, an ice rink that no one thought we would be able to have. That I think is very exciting, and we’re grateful to the federation, who were very open-minded in seeing what we could do.
”Beijing 2022 showed us how to use existing facilities in different ways, and we’ve been able to do that here. It’s been tried and tested and been successful. We’ll continue to do that in the future.”
Christophe DUBI (SUI) - Olympic Games Executive Director
On ticket sales:
“It’s rare I have good news - 1.1 million tickets sold, or something like that. This is pretty impressive for a Winter Games. It is a really good performance. If anyone is looking for tickets, there are not so many, so rush. It’s the same for the Opening Ceremony. It is going to be a full house and the San Siro is a massive venue.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t have that in Beijing because of Covid protocol. This time, (the venue will be) full. Is it going to be the same as Paris? Probably - which is fantastic.”
On the geography of the Games:
“We are good to go. The venues look fantastic. We have been up in the mountains and visited all the venues in Milano. If you are an Alpine skier, Bormio or Cortina are the most iconic venues, without doubt. And the same for Livigno."
On the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena:
“I am absolutely certain (it will be finished on time). One thing we have been clear about for a number of days is there are many areas where you will be very impressed. You walk into the hall and it’s dramatic. It is black, ice is ice, and it’s going to be dramatic.
“Do we have every single space finished? No. But no one’s experience will be tainted by something that needs to be painted or carpeted after the Games. Anything the athletes need, it’s absolutely done. Do we still have work? Yes. Cleaning? Yes. Work inside and outside (to do) to make it beautiful. The work is frantic, but it started very late. They have pulled off, in a few months, something outstanding.”
Pierre DUCREY (SUI) - IOC Sports Director
On gender parity in Nordic combined at the Olympic Winter Games:
"As you may remember, we were here for the Executive Board meeting in September, and we communicated back then that we would use all the information coming out of Milano Cortina to really inform a decision for (French Alps) 2030 and this is what we intend to do. It will really give us a sense of how the discipline has come forward on the women's side, but also on the men's side, between 2022 and 2026.”
James MACLEOD (GBR), IOC Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365
On the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Villages:
“The feedback from the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) has been nothing short of extraordinary. The services the local organising committee have provided have been outstanding. The athletes have started their training and everything is going very well. There is huge satisfaction.”
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