Daily Media Briefing (12th Feb)
Sustainability Focus
Official Summary
Comments from IOC Spokesperson Mark ADAMS (GBR),
Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe DUBI (SUI),
IOC Head of Sustainability Julie DUFFUS (GBR),
Milano Cortina 2026 Sustainability and Impact Director Gloria ZAVATTA (ITA),
Milano Cortina 2026 Games Operations Communications Director Luca CASASSA (ITA) at a press conference at the Main Press Centre on Thursday.
Mark ADAMS - IOC Spokesperson
On the IOC banning Vladyslav HERASKEVYCH (UKR) from competition after he wore a helmet bearing images of victims of the war in Ukraine:
"It is a fast-moving story. Having been given one final opportunity this morning, skeleton pilot Vladyslav HERASKEVYCH was not able to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. With regret, we took this decision, but it followed multiple refusals to comply with the IOC guidelines on athlete expressions. Despite multiple meetings, including at 07:30 in person this morning with IOC President Kirsty COVENTRY (ZIM), who is in Cortina, he (HERASKEVYCH) wouldn't consider the many compromises we gave him. He will not start, and will not compete.
"We dearly wanted him to compete. It would have sent a really powerful message. We were happy to provide him with a number of ways to express his grief. Our athletes have asked for a safe space to compete. It is not about the message he wanted to give, but in that one-minute competition, we asked him not to make this expression (by wearing his helmet).
"There are many reasons we have to do this. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), there are 130 conflicts in the world. We can't have people making statements about them (all) during (Olympic) competition. Before, after, on social media, or during interviews, absolutely, but not during that time.
"We also have to consider the pressure NOCs (National Olympic Committees) can put on athletes to express views they may not agree with.
"Rule 40 (of the Olympic Charter) gives athletes a safe space to compete. It is not at all about the message. It is about the sanctity of the field of play."
On the differences between HERASKEVYCH's helmet and the cases of figure skater Maxim NAUMOV (USA) and judoka Peter PALTCHIK (ISR). NAUMOV honoured his deceased parents at Milano Cortina, while PALTCHIK expressed support for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:
"We offered the Ukrainian athlete (HERASKEVYCH) the chance to do the same as the skater (express himself outside of Olympic competition). It (NAUMOV holding up a photo of his late parents) was after the competition, after the finish line, and HERASKEVYCH could have done the same. We allowed him to train and take his helmet through the mixed zone (the area where athletes can talk to accredited media). NAUMOV lost his parents. It was a spontaneous show of emotion, and it was after the race.
"With the Israeli athlete, we did issue a small statement, and we were in touch with the (Israeli) NOC at the time. We dealt with it on the spot in Paris.
"I wouldn't compare the cases. In this case, we told him (HERASKEVYCH) about the issue, we gave him some alternatives, and he still said he would go ahead (and wear the helmet), even though the president (COVENTRY), who was the chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, personally went to see him this morning to explain the many reasons (why the IOC wanted the helmet removed in competition).
On Thursday morning's meeting between COVENTRY and HERASKEVYCH in Cortina:
"The meeting between the athlete (HERASKEVYCH) and the president (COVENTRY) was good and respectful. I think they both came out of it with huge respect for each other. But, with respect, we have to take the decision that we did."
On reports COVENTRY was in tears after the meeting:
"Yes, it is true. I spoke to the president (COVENTRY) this morning. She was very emotional about this. She invested a lot as an athlete, and as chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, putting time in to getting that (the athletes' guidelines) over the line. The athletes came up with these guidelines. They are not imposed by the IOC. They come from the athletes themselves, who want a safe space."
On why the IOC were only prepared to allow HERASKEVYCH to wear a black armband:
"There are (currently) 130 conflicts in the world. Think of the Middle East, Africa or South America. If everyone is allowed to express themselves beyond a black armband, it will create a field of play that becomes a field of expression. Even when one may agree or not agree with the sentiments, you can see how that would lead to a chaotic situation.
"We can't have athletes have pressure put on them by their political masters. It (the IOC rules) is a protection. It is not about the message, it is about the place (where it is expressed)."
On whether the Russian government has complained to the IOC about HERASKEVYCH's helmet:
"I have not heard a single word on that (topic). I don't think there has been any communication about the helmet from the Russian government, and in any case we would have ignored it (if there had been)."
On the IOC's ban on Russian athletes competing under their country's name:
"We concern ourselves with sport. Our actions against the (Russian) NOC are for sporting reasons and contraventions of the Olympic Charter. We have had many issues with the Russian government, including at Sochi (during the 2014 Olympic Winter Games), but the suspension is not a protest against the war (in Ukraine). If we started doing that (protesting wars), you would have maybe five NOCs here and, probably, even fewer in the summer.
"Once we take a stand against conflicts, there is no end, and there will be no sport. Our job is to bring all the different countries together, even if they are in conflict. It may not solve wars, it may not bring peace, but it sends a powerful message and brings people together. And it says, 'This is how the world could be if we all respect the rules'.
On whether the IOC could change their rules on athletes' expression:
"It has been quite an emotional conversation. We are a professional organisation, and we have to get on with it. We will look at the rules again, and see if anything can be changed, but they were brought forward by the athletes. We could go back to them, but it was a long and thorough process in which the athletes made it clear they wanted a safe space (to compete)."
On whether banning HERASKEVYCH actually gives him a bigger platform:
"The consequences of it are the consequences. I am sure, in one sense, because he (HERASKEVYCH) wants to get his message across, this (the ban) will probably work for him, but all we can do is apply the rules, and that's what we have done."
On whether HERASKEVYCH can appeal:
"On rewriting the Olympic Charter, we have what is called the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) Ad-hoc Court. We have the people here (in Milan). Their job is to bring a remedy in a very timely manner, and in this case it would be very timely indeed. I don't know if he (HERASKEVYCH) has appealed, but we have the ability to set up an ad-hoc 'commission' (an expedited case heard by CAS) at any time. Whether he can still take part (in the Games), that is a question for the (International Bobsleigh and Skeleton) Federation."
On viewing figures and digital engagements from Wednesday:
"(US broadcaster) NBC reports the Olympics has already set streaming records for a Winter Games with 5.3 billion minutes streamed. That's up 36% compared to all of Beijing, which is an amazing record. And Olympic social media handles have already generated over seven billion digital engagements. These Games are getting coverage all over the world."
Julie DUFFUS - IOC Head of Sustainability
On creating a sustainable Games:
"All of our work is helping to ensure we have a safe, fair and reliable competition, while reducing the carbon footprint of the event, and supporting the host regions in adapting to a changing climate. Milano Cortina's (venue) re-use rate of 85% is one of the highest of any Games. And most competition venues are powered by renewable energy."
On the IOC's sustainability strategy:
"The IOC's (sustainability) work goes beyond what we do at the Olympic Games. We are working on our own carbon footprint, and are on track to reduce this by 50% by 2030.
"At the IOC, we are really committed to driving innovation from Games to Games and creating a positive impact within communities, as we have seen here at Milano Cortina."
On competition venues:
"Most of the competition venues are powered by renewable energy, and almost all the snowcats are HGVs (heavy goods vehicles), which has really pushed innovation in snow sports. Snow production has been kept to the minimum required as well."
Christophe DUBI - Olympic Games Executive Director
On the importance of a sustainable Games:
"Sustainability is about taking action which translates into results, and Milano Cortina has been trailblazing what is a new model. Sustainability is a priority. We don't have a choice but to make a positive impact on the three spheres of sustainability (economic, social and environmental).
"Economically, we have to be impeccable. In China (at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games), we had a lot of Italians preparing for the Games, and you probably found most of them in France (at Paris 2024), and now many are here (at Milano Cortina). In terms of social impact, that's created jobs not just in the sports sector, but in the environmental one. And environmentally, we have to do it right because the climate has an impact on all of us. The Games must adapt to new realities."
Gloria ZAVATTA - Milano Cortina 2026 Sustainability and Impact Director
On lowering the carbon footprint of the Games:
"Our aim is to have zero carbon emissions. We need to reduce greenhouse gases. There are a number of initiatives we have taken, including in social responsibility. After winning the bid, we decided to use existing venues, and 85% can now be reused to stage future (sporting) venues."
On encouraging the use of public transport:
"We have provided public transport to and from all venues, including a collective transport pool, made available in order to reduce the use of private cars. The fleet (of private cars) used has been reduced by around 20% compared to Turin (during the 2006 Olympic Winter Games). And 20% of our vehicles are 100% electric at these Games."
On the Olympic torches:
"The Olympic torches carry a very important message. They show we can produce objects that are both beautiful and still use recyclable materials. It shows you can get fantastic products using sustainable solutions."
On the Olympic slopes:
"We don't use colour or biological products on the slopes, only dyes from food sources. And we have adopted IT (information technology) solutions which use electronic systems, like GPS (global positioning system), to determine the depth of the snow, allowing the drivers of the snow ploughs to communicate with each other and only intervene if the conditions of the slope need dealing with. This helps keep the slopes safe, and provides the best possible conditions for the athletes."
On the use of plastic bottles:
"In some cases, it is a necessity (to use plastic bottles). This is because the Games are spread out, with large distances to cover and no connection with a water distribution system. This has prevented us from installing water fountains (at venues). However, we took the decision to recover bottles and reuse and recycle them, reducing the impact (of the use of plastic)."
On why bottled drinks were poured into cups at the opening ceremony at the San Siro:
"As for the Opening Ceremony, bottles had to be opened and put in a glass or a mug, and this took place in the food areas (in the stadium concourse or outside). This was for safety reasons, which we discussed with the (Italian) Ministry of Interior."
Luca CASASSA - Milano Cortina 2026 Games Operations Communications Director
On Wednesday's ticket sales, and the performance of Italian athletes:
"We sold another 71,000 tickets (on Wednesday). And it was a historic day as our men's and women's luge teams both won gold. The women (Andrea VOETTER / Marion OBERHOFER, ITA) became the first doubles luge champions in the Olympics, while the men's team (Emanuel RIEDER / Simon KAINZWALDNER, ITA) won a first gold in luge since 1994."
On Italian officials attending events in Cortina:
"President (Giovanni) MALAGO will be in Cortina today together with our CEO (Andrea) VARNIER. It is an exceptional presence that fills us with pride. And the President of the Italian Republic (Sergio MATTARELLA) will attend competitions as well (in Cortina)."
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