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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has lamented the major news that has consumed the world ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Coventry faced questions about the controversy over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the US and the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files while speaking to reporters on Sunday, days before the opening of Milan’s Cortina Games.
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Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry meets the media in Milan, Italy, Sunday, February 1, 2026. (Claudio Furlán/LaPresse via AP)
While trying to deflect attention, Coventry said it was “sad” that the stories were taking attention away from the Olympics.
“I think anything that distracts from these Games is sad, right? But we have learned over many years… there has always been something that has taken the lead, before the Games,” he said. “Whether it’s Zika or COVID, there’s always been something.
“But what keeps my faith alive is that when the opening ceremony happens and those athletes start competing, suddenly the world remembers the magic and the spirit that the Games have and suddenly they remember what’s really important and they get inspired, so we’re looking forward to it.”
OLYMPIC GAMES BOSS RESPONDS AFTER EMAILS WITH GHISLAINE MAXWELL APPEAR IN EPSTEIN FILES
Border Patrol agents detain a person near Roosevelt High School during dismissal as federal immigration enforcement actions sparked protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 7, 2026. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images)
Coventry faced questions about ICE as federal agents were to be used to assist in the security of the American delegation, sparking protests in Italy.
“From all the information we have, I believe that the US authorities, like other authorities, have made all the necessary clarifications, so it is not our place to comment further on that part of security. But we are looking forward to the games,” Coventry said of ICE.
On Saturday, a new batch of emails about the Epstein case showed correspondence between the president of the Los Angeles Olympic organizing committee, Casey Wasserman, and Epstein’s ex-girlfriend, Ghislane Maxwell. The exchange occurred in 2003.
“We didn’t discuss it yesterday and I think Mr. Wasserman made his statement and now we have nothing more to add,” he said.
Coventry added that attention has been focused on Milan Cortina.
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The Winter Olympics begin on Friday with the opening ceremony.
