Daily Media Briefing (14th Feb)
Olympic Solidarity Focus
Official Highlights
Milan - Comments from:
IOC Spokesperson Mark ADAMS (GBR),
IOC Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365 James MACLEOD (GBR),
Alpine skier Mialitiana CLERC (MAD)
figure skater Donovan CARRILLO (MEX) in a press conference at the Main Media Centre on Saturday.
Mark ADAMS - IOC Spokesperson
On skeleton slider Vladyslav HERASKEVYCH (UKR) losing his Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal:
"We didn't want to get into this situation. There is no sense of triumph from us. It really is regrettable, but we have to enforce the rules. We will give the Ukrainian team our full support, as we do with all teams. And any teams with any difficulties will get any extra support."
On Casey WASSERMAN (USA) selling his talent agency, and whether his position as chair of the Los Angeles 2026 Olympic Summer Games is in doubt due to his reported association with Ghislaine MAXWELL and Jeffrey EPSTEIN:
"I hope you have seen the statement from Los Angeles (2028) yesterday. It was from their law firm. As far as they are concerned, they (Los Angeles 2028) will continue with Casey WASSERMAN.
"I don't have anything to add to that statement."
On reports during the snowboard halfpipe that a spider rope came loose and hit a child:
"Safety is our top priority. There is a statement from OBS (Olympic Broadcasting Services), but just to say it was a rope that came unattached. No one was seriously hurt. They are looking into it, and there is a statement."
On allegations by the Canada men's curling team of cheating by the Sweden team:
"I am aware of it. It is clearly a matter for the federation (World Curling). The result (an 8-6 victory for Canada) stands."
On reports of condoms running out in the Olympic Villages:
"All I would say is that it clearly shows Valentine's Day is in full swing in the (Olympic) Villages. I can't add much more than that. Rule 62 of the Olympic Charter says we have to have a condom story (laughs). 10,000 have been used, from 2,800 athletes."
James MACLEOD - IOC Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365
On the Olympic Solidarity programme:
"Olympic Solidarity is the programme the IOC offers to the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) with the greatest needs. We have a budget of 650 million (US) dollars for the four-year period leading up to the Games in Los Angeles (in 2028).
"One of our flagship programmes is the Olympic Scholarship for Athletes, which we run for both Summer and Winter Games.
"In the build-up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the IOC offered 449 scholarships to athletes from 90 different NOCs, in six different sports.
"We had a budget of around 12.2m dollars to invest in these athletes to prepare them for their training and qualification (for the Games).
"Each athlete receives a monthly stipend, and they can use that in the best way they see fit. Two hundred and forty-nine of the 449 athletes managed to qualify for these Games."
"Eight days in, and two gold, one silver, four bronze and 20 diplomas (athletes who finish between fourth and eighth) have been won by our Olympic Scholarship holders."
Mialitiana CLERC (MAD) - Alpine skier
On competing at Milano Cortina 2026:
"Cortina is an amazing experience for me. I have competed in two Games already and I feel really prepared. I really want to show the best I can do. It is a really impressive atmosphere here."
On getting into Alpine skiing:
"I was born in Madagascar and then adopted by French people who were living in the Alps. That's how I started skiing. I joined some different clubs close to where I was living, and then I decided to represent Madagascar when I started racing internationally.
"I went to my first Olympics (PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games) and I didn't expect it because, at the time, I was just doing some small races.
"Thanks to the Olympic Scholarship programme, and also the Madagascar Olympic Committee, I am here and living the best dream any athlete could ever have."
On condoms running out in the Olympic Villages:
"I heard about this story and I found it funny when I saw it on Instagram. I am not so shocked because I know that at the Winter Olympics a lot of people use condoms.
"I saw it in Beijing (at the 2022 Games) as well. There were some boxes at the entrance of every building where we were staying, and everything was gone from them.
"I already know a lot of people are using some condoms, or maybe taking them to give to their friends outside the Olympics. Maybe they are using them as gifts, just for fans."
Donovan CARRILLO (MEX) - figure skater
On competing at the Games:
"I am just so happy and honoured to be here in Milan. It really means a lot to represent my country on such a big stage at the Winter Olympics.
"It is such an adventure, and I did one of my best performances (in the men's single skating on Friday), not just of the season, but in my whole career. And I had my parents watching me in the audience for the first time at an Olympics.
"I felt protected, inspired and loved to do my very best in the competition."
On the importance of being an Olympic Scholarship holder:
"I am a holder of one of the Olympic Scholarships, and it has just been a game-changer for me. It gives me the possibility to keep pushing myself.
"In Mexico, financing can be challenging. Over the last two-and-a-half years, I have been training in Toronto, which is one of the best places in the world to train.
"This scholarship was needed and useful. I honestly feel I am here today just because of this scholarship. Thank you to the IOC for these kinds of programmes that allow athletes to go beyond their limits."
On interacting with other Olympic Scholarship holders:
"I would love to meet more of the athletes who have the scholarship to see what they do with theirs. I have used my funding to pay for my off and on-ice training.
"My sport is very specific and technical, so you have to work on the details and the only way to do that is to have a good coaching team. I would love to meet more people from this programme."
On gold medal favourite Ilia MALININ (USA) finishing eighth in the men's single skating after a mistake:
"It was a crazy competition. It was so unexpected in many different ways. I respect Ilia so much. He is such a great athlete and he works so hard.
"It just happened. Sometimes athletes struggle, it is a part of sports life. I wish him the best, not just here in the Games but in his career. I know he will go super far.
"I also congratulate Mikhail SHAIDOROV (KAZ). He totally deserved to be the Olympic champion. To put Kazakhstan on the map by winning the gold medal is such a big thing."
On the political relationship between the United States and Mexico:
"Honestly, as an athlete I only focus on my training. I don't know much about what is going on around the world. This is just a stage for us to try and achieve our dreams.
"I don't know much of what is going on in my country. I would rather keep talking about my sports career, what happened yesterday (in the men's single skating) or the future (rather than politics)."
On condoms running out in the Olympic Villages:
"I was not expecting that question. I just saw it this morning. I opened Instagram and I was shocked. I don't have much to say."
OIS bj/tc/lcm
