IOC President Kirsty Coventry Calls ICE, Epstein Coverage 'Sad' Distraction
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said ICE deployments and emails tied to Casey Wasserman divert attention from the Milan Cortina Games Feb. 6-22, 2026.
Overview
IOC President Kirsty Coventry told reporters at a Milan news conference that ICE deployments and newly released Epstein-related emails involving Casey Wasserman are "sad" distractions from the Milan Cortina Games, which open Feb. 6, 2026.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Piazza XXV Aprile in Milan to protest the planned deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, organizers said.
Casey Wasserman, chair of the Los Angeles 2028 organizing committee, apologized after a 2003 email exchange with Ghislaine Maxwell surfaced, his statement said.
The latest release of Epstein-related files includes the 2003 Wasserman-Maxwell emails and mentions IOC members Richard Carrion and Johan Eliasch, though the IOC said the documents do not suggest wrongdoing.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will lead the American delegation and attend the Milan Cortina opening ceremony on Feb. 6, 2026, officials confirmed.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources... are neutral in this coverage: they present direct quotes from IOC president Kirsty Coventry, factual reporting of protests and released documents, note lack of evidence of wrongdoing, and avoid loaded language or editorialized conclusions, focusing on verifiable facts and spokesperson responses rather than assigning blame.
FAQ
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are planned to be stationed in a control room during the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, not operating on the streets, prompting protests by hundreds of demonstrators in Milan on Saturday.
Newly released Epstein files include 2003 emails between Casey Wasserman, chair of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics committee, and Ghislaine Maxwell; Wasserman has apologized, and the IOC states there is no suggestion of wrongdoing.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will lead the American delegation and attend the opening ceremony on February 6, 2026.
Kirsty Coventry called the ICE deployments and Epstein-related emails 'sad distractions' from the Milan Cortina Games, emphasizing focus on the athletes and the Olympic spirit.
