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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has lamented the major news stories that have shaken the world in the run-up to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Coventry faced questions over the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) controversy and the release of Jeffrey Epstein files as she spoke to reporters on Sunday just days before the opening of the Milan Cortina Games.
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Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry meets the media in Milan, Italy, Sunday, February 1, 2026. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
While trying to deflect attention, Coventry said it was “sad” that these stories were distracting from the Olympics.
“I think anything that distracts from these Games is sad, isn’t it? But we’ve learned over the years… there’s always been something that took over, before the Games,” she said. “Whether it was Zika or COVID, there was always something.
“But what keeps my faith alive is that when that opening ceremony happens and these athletes start to compete, suddenly the world remembers the magic and the spirit of the Games and they suddenly remember what’s actually important and they’re inspired and so we’re really looking forward to that.”
OLYMPICS CHIEF RESPONDS AFTER EMAILS WITH GHISLAINE MAXWELL EMERGE IN EPSTEIN FILES
Border Patrol agents arrest a person near Roosevelt High School during dismissal as federal immigration enforcement actions sparked protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 7, 2026. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images)
Coventry faced questions about ICE as federal agents were to be used to provide security for the U.S. delegation, leading to protests in Italy.
“From all the information we have, I believe that the American authorities, like the other authorities, have made all the necessary clarifications, so from our side it is not for us to comment further on this aspect of security. But we are really looking forward to the games,” Coventry said of ICE.
On Saturday, a new batch of emails in the Epstein case showed correspondence between Los Angeles Olympic organizing committee chairman Casey Wasserman and Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislane Maxwell. The exchange took place in 2003.
“We didn’t discuss it yesterday and I believe Mr. Wasserman has released his statement and we have nothing more to add,” she said.
Coventry added that the focus has been on Milan Cortina.
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The Winter Olympics begin Friday with the opening ceremony.
