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Italy is advancing its preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina and Milan, with a major test event at the reconstructed Cortina track and a historic torch relay. The event includes the first major test of the new venue, which is still under construction, and highlights Italy’s commitment despite IOC concerns.
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The Olympic torch relay in Greece has begun ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, with a ceremony amid ancient ruins. Meanwhile, Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak faces a two-year doping-related suspension for whereabouts failures, not drug use, affecting her Olympic prospects.
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As of December 2025, Russian athletes have been reinstated to compete under their national flag in judo starting with the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, reversing previous neutral status imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian and Belarusian athletes meeting IOC criteria will compete as neutrals at the 2026 Winter Olympics following a court ruling overturning FIS's ban. Ukrainian diver Lyskun's switch to Russian citizenship has sparked controversy and disciplinary threats.
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The torch relay for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics started in Rome, covering 12,000 km across Italy with 10,001 torch bearers. The event included protests and low ticket sales, with some venues still under construction. The Games are set for February 2026 amid ongoing logistical challenges.
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The IOC announced that youth athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports can compete under their national flags at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics, relaxing restrictions amid ongoing tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The move signals a shift in policy, but some federations remain cautious.
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested lifting the ban on Russia's international football participation, citing frustration and the lack of progress in ending the Ukraine war. Ukraine strongly opposes this, citing Russian military actions that have killed Ukrainian athletes. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over sports sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict, with Russia's return supported by Moscow and opposed by Kyiv.
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The 2026 Winter Olympics officially opened on February 6, 2026, with ceremonies held simultaneously in Milan's San Siro stadium and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Games span over 350 kilometers across northern Italy, featuring 2,900 athletes from 90+ countries. The event blends Italian culture with global performances amid protests over U.S. ICE agents' advisory role and political tensions.
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Protesters in Milan demonstrated against the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the Winter Olympics, calling for their removal amid concerns over US immigration policies. US officials assured the agents will operate only within diplomatic missions, but protests and political criticism persist.
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During the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife faced jeers from the crowd, amid protests over U.S. immigration policies linked to ICE. Israeli athletes also faced boos, reflecting geopolitical tensions spilling into the Games.
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Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Milano Cortina Olympics after refusing to remove a helmet bearing images of Ukrainian war victims. The IOC cited non-compliance with athlete expression guidelines, despite Heraskevych's intent to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The decision highlights ongoing tensions over political expression at the Games.