U.S. Controversies Cloud Milan Cortina Winter Games Preparations
With just two years remaining until the Los Angeles Olympics, the United States is already dominating the narrative in the lead-up to the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Games. International Olympic Committee officials, including President Kirsty Coventry, faced persistent questions regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Jeffrey Epstein files during a news conference in Milan on Sunday.
IOC President Addresses Distractions and Deflections
Coventry attempted to deflect these inquiries by stating it was not the IOC's place to comment on such issues. However, when pressed further, she admitted it was "sad" that these stories were diverting attention away from the upcoming Olympics. "I think anything that is distracting from these Games is sad, right? But we've learned over the many years ... there's always been something that has taken the lead, leading up to the Games," Coventry remarked. "Whether it has been Zika, COVID, there has always been something."
She expressed optimism that the Olympic spirit would ultimately prevail. "But what is keeping my faith alive is that when that opening ceremony happens and those athletes start competing, suddenly the world remembers the magic and the spirit that the games have and they get to suddenly remember what's actually important and they get to be inspired and so we're really looking forward to that."
ICE Protests and Epstein File Revelations
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Milan on Saturday to protest the deployment of U.S. ICE agents during the upcoming Winter Olympics. The protest occurred despite the fact that these agents would be stationed in a control room and not operating on the streets. Meanwhile, the latest collection of government files released on Epstein includes emails from 2003 between Casey Wasserman, the head of the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, and Epstein's one-time girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.
When questioned about the presence of ICE agents in Milan, Coventry responded, "From all the information that we have and I believe that the US authorities, as the other authorities, have made all the clarifications needed, so from our side that's not for us to further comment on that part of the security. But we're really looking forward to the games."
Limited Response on Wasserman and IOC Members
Coventry was even less responsive when asked about Wasserman. "We didn't discuss it yesterday and I believe Mr. Wasserman has put out his statement and we now have nothing further to add," she stated. The Epstein documents also mention two IOC members, although there is no suggestion they did anything wrong. They are:
- Richard Carrion, a Puerto Rican banker who finished runner-up to former IOC president Thomas Bach in the 2013 election.
- Johan Eliasch, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation president who was one of Coventry's opponents last March.
Coventry, who was elected just over ten months ago and is the first female IOC president, noted, "I've not been in contact with Casey, the focus has fully been on Milano Cortina, there's been a number of things that we've been focusing on here." Regarding the IOC members mentioned, she added, "In terms of IOC members, we're obviously watching and monitoring the media and we're aware of a few things that have been reported just today and we need some time to look into that and to be given intel."
Upcoming Games and American Delegation
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled to run from February 6 to 22. U.S. Vice President JD Vance will lead an American delegation to the Games and attend Friday's opening ceremony, underscoring the significant U.S. involvement amidst the ongoing controversies.
