Olympic
2026 Milan - Cortina Winter Olympics: Budget Update and Organisational Milestone
The 2026 Milan - Cortina Winter Olympics organising committee has adjusted its budget figures, with the operating budget increasing by 7% to around 1.7 billion euros, excluding infrastructure and venue construction costs. This comes against the backdrop of a decline in Italy's inflation rate, which fell to 1% in 2024 from 5.7% in 2023, mainly due to the 10.1% drop in energy prices after a 1.2% increase in 2023.
Russian Gymnasts Decline to Compete as Neutrals
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has granted neutral status to 43 athletes from Russia, a country under International Olympic Committee sanctions, allowing them to compete without national identity markings. However, out of solidarity with their teammates who did not receive the same status, all the approved athletes have jointly decided not to participate in the upcoming events.