Winter Olympics 2026 beset with business and geopolitical controversies
As the Winter Games unfold, business and geopolitical friction is distracting from the sporting action
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MANY countries still believe that hosting major sporting contests commands significant prestige. However, that assessment is being tested by the logistical and political turbulence surrounding the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, which opened on Feb 6 in Italy.
While the sporting side of the tournament has so far proceeded relatively smoothly – barring the eye-catching technical cheating allegations in ski jumping – the event has faced a catalogue of wider challenges.
These range from sponsorship controversies to alleged Russian cyberattacks. US Vice-President JD Vance, there as a guest of honour, was booed at the opening ceremony amid the contentious presence of US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) agents at the event.
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