IOC President Kirsty Coventry Addresses Casey Wasserman Emails and ICE Situation in Italy as Distractions
Milan, Italy — Two years ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics, the United States is asserting its influence in the build-up to the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
During a news conference on Sunday, members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including President Kirsty Coventry, faced inquiries regarding the involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files. Despite Coventry’s attempts to sidestep these topics, she expressed disappointment that such issues detracted from the excitement surrounding the upcoming Games.
“It’s sad that anything distracts from these Games,” Coventry stated. “Over the years, there has always been some controversy leading up to the Olympics, whether it was Zika virus or COVID-19.”
Coventry was also asked about the public reaction to the deployment of ICE agents during the Winter Olympics. Although these agents are expected to be stationed in a control room rather than on the streets, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Milan to voice their concerns.
In further developments regarding the Epstein files, a new release has drawn attention to personal emails from 2003 between Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA28 Olympics organizing committee, and Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender. In a statement, Wasserman expressed regret over any association with either individual, noting that the emails were exchanged “long before her horrific crimes came to light.”
Coventry, when addressing the presence of ICE at the Games, indicated that U.S. authorities had provided necessary clarifications and emphasized her anticipation for the Olympics. “We’re really looking forward to the Games,” she remarked. However, when pressed regarding Wasserman, she stated, “I believe Mr. Wasserman has put out his statement, and we now have nothing further to add.”
The Milan-Cortina Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 22, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance leading the American delegation at the opening ceremony.
