MILAN (AP) — Two years before the Los Angeles Olympics, the United States is already dominating the narrative leading up to the Los Angeles Olympics opening ceremony. Winter Games Milan Cortina.
Officials of the International Olympic Committee, including the President Kirsty Coventrycouldn’t avoid questions about this to IJS and the Jeffrey Epstein files at a press conference in Milan on Sunday.
Coventry tried to deflect them by saying it was not the IOC’s place to comment on the issues, but when pressed admitted it was “sad” that such stories were distracting from the upcoming Olympics.
“I think anything that distracts from these Games is sad, right? But we’ve learned over the years… that there has always been something that has taken the lead, leading up to the Games,” Coventry said. “Whether it’s been Zika or COVID, there’s always been something.
“But what keeps my faith alive is that when that opening ceremony happens and those athletes start competing, suddenly the world remembers the magic and the spirit of the games and they suddenly remember what’s really important and they get inspired and so we’re really looking forward to that.”
Hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday in Milan to protest the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the upcoming Winter Olympics, without concern that agents would be stationed in a control room and not operate on the streets.
Meanwhile, the latest collection of government files released on Epstein includes emails from 2003 between Casey Wassermanthe head of the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, and Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.
“From all the information we have and I believe the US authorities, like the other authorities, have made all the necessary clarifications, so from our side it is not for us to comment further on that part of security. But we are really looking forward to the Games,” Coventry said when asked about the presence of ICE agents in Milan.
She was even less responsive when asked about Wasserman.
“We didn’t talk about it yesterday and I believe Mr. Wasserman has made his statement and we have nothing more to add to it now,” Coventry said.
Two IOC members were named in the documents, although there is no suggestion they did anything wrong.
They are: Richard Carrion, a Puerto Rican banker who came second to former IOC President Thomas Bach in the 2013 elections; and Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, who was one of Coventry’s opponents last March.
“I have had no contact with Casey, the focus has been entirely on Milano Cortina, there are a number of things we have focused on here,” said Coventry, who was elected just over 10 months ago and is the first female IOC president.
“As far as the IOC members are concerned, we are obviously monitoring the media and we are aware of a few things that have just been reported and we need some time to look into that and get information.”
The upcoming Olympic Games will take place from February 6 to 22. US Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. delegation to the Milan Cortina Games and attend Friday’s opening ceremony.
