Winter Olympics 2026 beset with business and geopolitical controversies

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.