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IOC’s Coventry Flags Tough Olympic Program Changes, Reasserts Neutrality

Her Milan address set a neutrality-first tone ahead of review decisions due later this year.

Overview

  • Speaking before the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, Kirsty Coventry warned that evaluating the Olympic event lineup will involve uncomfortable choices.
  • The 'Fit For The Future' review covers more than 450 medal events across 40-plus federations, with outcomes slated for release later in 2026.
  • Coventry urged keeping sport a neutral ground, a message widely read as pointing to a potential pathway for Russian athletes by the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
  • The IOC advised in December that Russian and Belarusian juniors be readmitted to international youth events, and 13 Russians plus seven Belarusians are competing in Milan-Cortina as neutrals.
  • Brisbane 2032 organizers said the ongoing review will guide their sport slate and indicated the timing will not disrupt their planning.