Daily Media Briefing (10th Feb)
Food and Beverage Focus
Official Highlights
MILAN - Comments from IOC Spokesperson Mark ADAMS (GBR), Milano Cortina 2026 Games Operations Communications Director Luca CASASSA (ITA) and Milano Cortina 2026 Head of Food & Beverage Elisabetta SALVADORI (ITA) at the Main Press Centre on Tuesday.
Mark ADAMS - IOC Spokesperson
On whether skeleton racer Vladyslav HERASKEVYCH (UKR) has had his helmet banned due to featuring photos of victims of the war in Ukraine:
"We received a formal request this morning (from HERASKEVYCH, UKR) to be able to wear the helmet in competition. We have addressed from the beginning the situation with the Ukrainian sports federations and athletes since the Russian invasion. The IOC fully understands the desire of athletes to remember friends or colleagues who have lost their lives in that conflict, and, by the way, it is the same for other conflicts around the world. There are probably 20 or 30 conflicts around the world at any time.
"There was an informal meeting last night with HERASKEVYCH's coach. We reiterated our understanding that Ukrainian athletes wish to express their sorrow, and HERASKEVYCH has done that during training and on social media.
"That said, the Olympic Charter conditions of participation, and our athlete expression guidelines, which between 3000 and 4000 athletes provided feedback for, make it clear we have to concentrate on athletes' performance and sport on the field of play.
"The Games need to be separated from not just political and religious topics, but all types of interference so that all athletes can concentrate on performance.
"What we have said is this helmet contravenes the above-mentioned guidelines. But that being said, after the meeting (with HERASKEVYCH's coach), in which we reiterated those guidelines again, we decided to make an exception to allow him to wear a black armband during competition.
"What we have tried to do is address his desires with compassion and understanding. He has expressed himself on social media and in training.
"We feel this (the black armband) is a good compromise. We have said to him (HERASKEVYCH) that we will make an exception so he can express his mourning in this way."
On the process of athletes requesting a black armband at the Games:
"People can make a request for an exception to any rule, as the Ukrainian athlete (HERASKEVYCH) has done here, and there is a panel that looks at it. There has to be a good specific reason for a black armband. We have around 90 countries and 2000-odd athletes here, so we don't want every athlete wearing a black armband unless there is a good reason."
On why HERASKEVYCH's case is different to that of Manizha TALASH (Refugee Olympic Team), an Afghan refugee breakdancer who was disqualified for displaying the slogan 'Free Afghan Women' at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:
"It is because that was a slogan. We have said HERASKEVYCH can wear a black armband with no text. The challenge is when we get into text and issues of expression using the Olympic platform. Even if we sympathise with some expressions, once we open the door, we also risk expressions we don't agree with. It is a fine balance."
On why it was permissible for retired weightlifter Matthias STEINER (GER) to hold up a photo of his late wife, Susann, after winning gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games:
"I think it is a very simple case. This was 20 years ago. People often criticise us for not listening, but we have evolved the rules. I am not going to go back about 20 years and discuss if it (STEINER holding up a photo of his late wife) would be OK now. It was OK then. There will always be growing pains with rules. We think we have settled on a good system to allow people to express themselves but also protect the field of play. It won't be perfect, and there will always be exceptions."
On athletes having a voice at the Games:
"People will always try to push rules to their limit. It is difficult to find a rule that works for everything. In terms of free speech, all the athletes are free to say their views on social media and in press conferences. Freedom of speech doesn't exist everywhere in the world. You can't go into a shopping centre and shout, 'Fire'. Our rule is you have to protect the field of play. That's why slogans are not allowed.
"We have evolved. There were previous Games where we refused people to even wear an armband. And we went to the athletes, consulted with them, and they were very supportive of the fact we need to keep the field of play as pure as possible."
On whether the IOC could help to fund music rights for figure skaters who cannot afford to use tracks:
"To give you a broader answer, we have put back an awful lot of money. We give 4.6 or 4.7 million (US dollars) a day to the sporting unions. We understand the playing field is not entirely level, but we are trying our best. There are many different ideas about how we can help."
On the late start times of some events at the Games:
"This is a perennial question at all Games. The answer is the Games are shown all around the world. Everyone wants to see live events, so we try to place them so they can be seen by as many people as possible. The scheduling is different to what you would call 'domestic' competition, and most of the athletes are used to it. And if it works for spreading the Olympic message, it (late starts for some events) is worth considering."
On the Olympic Truce and the impact on athletes:
"The Olympic Truce is called for by the Union Nations. As for the athletes, they have different responsibilities, and they understand the Games is about peaceful competition. People can share their meals then compete fiercely against each other. The Olympic Truce is not aimed specifically at the athletes, but obviously the spirit of it is (embraced by them)."
Luca CASASSA - Milano Cortina 2026 Games Operations Communications Director
On issues with Olympic medals:
"A limited number of medals have a number of problems, but the organising committee has been working closely with the Italian mint, who are responsible for the medals. A solution has been identified and athletes who have medals are invited to give them back so they can be repaired. Milano Cortina 2026 confirms our commitment that the medals will meet the highest quality of standards.
"As a precaution, we are recalling some of the medals to ensure all athletes' joy (upon winning a medal) can be '360 degrees'. This is important for them and important for us."
On ticket sales at the Games:
"Yesterday, we sold 56,000 tickets. Nine competition venues were involved on Monday, with 20 competitions and five gold medals. Congratulations, in particular, to Jutta LEERDAM (NED), who won gold for the Netherlands in the (women's 1000m) speed skating."
Elisabetta SALVADORI - Milano Cortina 2026 Head of Food & Beverage
On food and beverage in the Olympic Villages:
"The food in the (Olympic) Villages is available around the clock and the three main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) follow specific schedules. And in Milan, we have tried to make the ice hockey athletes happy, since they are the ones who eat most frequently, and the biggest quantities as well.
"The Italian style of our menus prioritises carbohydrates, so pasta and pizza are predominant. The athletes are satisfied. We also have salami and various local cheeses.
"The Milan Olympic Village restaurant has approximately 600 seated places with 400 in Cortina and 400 in Predazzo. In the kitchens in the (Olympic) Villages, we have around six chefs, and each one helps us in our mission to prepare 4500 breakfasts, lunches and dinners in Milan, 4000 in Cortina and 3000 in Predazzo."
OIS bj/pp/kc
