Daily Media Briefing (13th Feb)
IOC President Focus
Official Highlights
CORRECTION - Clarifies in first response that President COVENTRY was referring to the process of establishing the athlete guidelines.
MILAN -
Comments from IOC President Kirsty COVENTRY (ZIM),
IOC Spokesperson Mark ADAMS (GBR)
Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe DUBI (SUI) at a press conference at the Main Press Centre on Friday.
Kirsty COVENTRY - IOC President
On meeting Vladyslav HERASKEVYCH (UKR) on Thursday in Cortina:
"My conversation yesterday with Vladyslav HERASKEVYCH and his dad, Mykhailo, was very good and respectful. It was a time for me and Vladyslav to speak as athletes, and that was really important for me, and I think for him as well. I shared with him how the process (of creating the athlete guidelines) went, and, for me, I felt I was the best person to do that.
"I was leading the athletes' community (as chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission between 2018 and 2021) and could share both sides, including on how athletes wanted a safe space and to be protected. In some ways, I think he understood that, but he was also very committed to his beliefs, which I can respect. Sadly, this doesn't change the rules.
"We ended up where we ended up and, as I said to Vladyslav, I can only thank him for taking the time to talk with me. It was appreciated."
On how long the meeting with HERASKEVYCH lasted, and why his accreditation was reinstated following his disqualification:
"The meeting was maybe 20 minutes. After our conversation, the (International Bobsleigh and Skeleton) Federation, I believe through the president of the (International Bobsleigh and Skeleton) Jury, told him he would not be racing.
"As I have said many times, in sitting down with Vladyslav and his dad, the conversation was extremely respectful, and afterwards I asked the disciplinary commission to look at not pulling his accreditation.
"Being disqualified from an event is a decision that is taken by the federation not ourselves (the IOC). We are in control of accreditation and so, for me, if you are disqualified, the accreditation should not be automatically pulled. They are two very different things."
On chairing the IOC Athletes' Commission:
"I was chair of the Athletes' Commission in 2020 and 2021, and we heard from athletes that it was really important for us to identify safe spaces for them to express themselves, and be able to share messages of all kinds. They recognised if we just opened things up completely, athletes could potentially be asked by parties outside the sporting family to carry messages they didn't agree with.
"It was about asking athletes how we could protect them. The fairest way was to find and identify areas both they and we felt could protect the safe spaces for athletes to be athletes - to do what they had trained and sacrificed for, and just to compete. And so we carved out spaces where athletes can be the ambassadors and role models they are, and share their messages. This is why we have the rules we do."
On whether HERASKEVYCH highlighted seeing Russian flags at Olympic venues, and if Roland FISCHNALLER (ITA), Maxim NAUMOV (USA) or Jared FIRESTONE (ISR) violated athlete expression rules. FISCHNALLER's helmet had six flags on it, including a Russian one; NAUMOV held up a photo of his deceased parents; FIRESTONE wore a Jewish kippah embroidered with the names of the 11 Israeli athletes murdered during the Munich 1972 Olympic Summer Games:
"As far as my memory serves, he (HERASKEVYCH) never brought up (Russian) flags in the stands. He mentioned a (Russian) flag that was on the back of the helmet of an athlete (FISCHNALLER) who had competed in six different Games. I didn't necessarily see a violation because he is a non-Russian athlete, and had flags (on his helmet) of all six Games he has competed in.
"On the other two athletes, the figure skater (NAUMOV) had finished (his routine), and he came into the 'kiss and cry' zone (where athletes wait for their scores) with a picture of his parents. That is allowed. I shared that with him (HERASKEVYCH). I offered him the same thing. I told him he is allowed the helmet at the press conference and that we could have it waiting for him after his run. This was explained.
"On the Israeli athlete, I was not aware of that (wearing a special kippah), and the team is reviewing it now."
On why the meeting with HERASKEVYCH was emotional:
"I was really grateful for the opportunity to sit down and speak with him. I don't think there has ever been a question surrounding his message. It was just where the message was happening. The emotion coming out is because he is an athlete and I wanted to see him compete. Sadly, we weren't able to get that to happen.
"The rules are the rules, and I believe in the rules. The rules are the fairest way that we have right now to allow athletes to express themselves, but also to keep them safe. You all know the world we are living in. And athletes have shared with us (that) they don't want to be put in a position where they can be used for things they don't agree with. This is why we have the rules in place."
On HERASKEVYCH stating he didn't understand the reasons for his disqualification:
"I think the rules and regulations are very clear. That's why we have the guidelines. Athletes want to be able to express themselves. They want to be safe, and they don't want to be used. We have done the best we can to ensure athletes can express themselves and give the messaging they feel is close to them. Part of why we all love the Games is because of our strength and diversity. The way I express myself as an African woman is very different as to how Mark (ADAMS) does as a European man. We have to take this into consideration, and we believe the rules allow for that to happen in a fair way."
On whether HERASKEVYCH can still compete if he wins his appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS):
"We have to wait. That's why there are processes in place. It doesn't help to assume anything or speculate. We have to be patient and see what the outcome is."
On whether the IOC is being used as a tool for propaganda by political leaders:
"No."
On whether she will review the athlete guidelines ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games:
"This would fall within the working group looking at all fundamental principles of Olympianism. I have had a number of conversations with athletes over the last couple of days. They still feel strongly that we should be able to keep part of our Olympic movement, and their Olympic experience, safe. If our athletes would like us to look at it (the rules), we are open to everything. But the rules are the rules as of today, and I believe they are good rules. They keep our athletes safe from being used (for political purposes). The athletes believe the guidelines are relevant in today's world."
On the spread-out nature of the Milano 2026 Olympic Winter Games:
"We are learning so much from the spread-out Games. There is going to be so much data we can bring in and understand. It comes with different complexities, but so far the feedback we are getting has been very positive. What made my heart happy yesterday was to see athletes who are really loving the venues. They are iconic. The fields of play are ones our athletes have raced on before, and they are extremely good.
"One of my highlights has been getting feedback from the athletes. It was so cool (to hear) how the athletes (in Cortina) loved the fact they got to be part of the Opening Ceremony from the mountains."
On her favourite moments from the Games so far:
"We have seen the Italian team do incredibly well: 17 medals and six golds (as of Friday morning). I was fortunate to witness Federica BRIGNONE (ITA) and Arianna FONTANA (ITA) both win gold. It was just incredible. Their stories are ones of resilience, fight and everything good in humanity. I have so much respect for both athletes. Arianna is now the (equal) most decorated Italian Olympic athlete, summer or winter. To do that at a home Games, it is so cool.
"Watching Federica win her (gold) medal on the first day was incredible. And it was even more powerful when she (Francesca LOLLOBRIGIDA) ran over and picked up her child. For me, it was like, 'Wow'. It was so cool.
"A year ago she (BRIGNONE) wasn't skiing. She was lying in a hospital bed. If that doesn't talk about resilience or grit, or getting knocked down and back up after everyone telling you (that you) won't make the Games, I don't know what does. You can't have a stronger message."
On her message to Lindsey VONN (USA):
"Lindsey, you know you are one of my big inspirations, and we send you the best in your recovery. You are an Olympic champion, and you always will be.
"Even though Lindsey VONN's Games didn't end how she wanted, the message she put out from her hospital bed of, 'Hey, I put everything on the line' - how amazing. How inspirational."
On the challenge of being IOC president:
"It is a job only a woman can do (applause), and I am looking forward to doing it."
Mark ADAMS - IOC Spokesperson
On HERASKEVYCH's chances of competing again if he wins his appeal:
"Speculation on the outcome of the (CAS) court case is not helpful. We will do whatever we can, whatever the result is."
On FISCHNALLER and FIRESTONE:
"With the case of the athlete (FISCHNALLER) with the Russian flag, which was tiny, he had flags (on his helmet) from all the countries he has competed in (at the Olympic Games). He hadn't even thought about it.
"The athlete (FIRESTONE) who wore the kippah at the Opening Ceremony did so underneath a beanie (hat). It wasn't even visible. We do look at these cases. We have a sounding board of key directors and stakeholders. And very often we look at these cases and there are no issues.
"If there is a legal issue, it can be raised with the authorities or CAS, but most of the time it is a case of having a quiet word with the NOC (National Olympic Committee), and it is usually a one-off."
On reaching the halfway point of the Games:
"We have reached halfway. It is going very well. (US broadcaster) NBC tells us they are averaging nearly 26 million viewers, which is double (the viewing figures for) Beijing 2022. And Olympic social media handles have 7.4 billion engagements. You don't have to do much maths to work out that is a lot of people."
Christophe DUBI - Olympic Games Executive Director
On the spread-out nature of the Games:
"What I have done is watch on TV, and credit to those producing the incredible images. (Chief Executive Officer of Olympic Broadcasting Services) Yiannis EXARCHOS (GRE) is sitting in front of me here. I have heard many (positive) comments from journalists and athletes. We have always said it would be a strong marker if the athletes were happy with the spread-out Games, and if that's the case, who are we to say differently?
"The only (negative) thing I have heard was from a Swiss athlete saying in Bormio they are just among themselves (away from the Olympic Village). That's the only thing I have heard so far, but when the athletes are saying it is warm and cosy at all locations, I think we are on a good track."
OIS bj/ar/ic
