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IOC urged to improve climate change response by Coventry
Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee, has acknowledged the need for improvement regarding climate change, following the submission of a petition bearing over 21,000 signatures that advocates for an end to fossil fuel company sponsorships of winter sports.
In March 2025, Kirsty Coventry was elected as the president of the International Olympic Committee, marking a new era for the organization.
The IOC, under the leadership of President Kirsty Coventry, has acknowledged the need to improve its approach to climate change, following the receipt of a petition signed by over 21,000 individuals calling for an end to fossil fuel company sponsorships in winter sports.
The petition, which includes signatures from athletes, was submitted on Wednesday and coincides with the partnership between the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Eni, one of the world's largest oil companies, as a premium partner.
This development comes amidst reports suggesting that the number of countries capable of hosting the Winter Olympics will significantly decrease in the future due to the impact of climate change.
When asked by the BBC about her thoughts on the presence of high-carbon sponsors at the Games, Coventry responded by emphasizing the importance of athletes having a platform to express their concerns.
Coventry stated that the IOC is engaged in discussions with stakeholders to address these concerns and strive for improvement, acknowledging that this process will take time.
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6-22.
Christophe Dubi, the IOC's executive director for the Olympic Games, noted that the organization recognizes the challenges posed by climate change and is committed to receiving and considering petitions related to this issue.
Dubi emphasized the IOC's commitment to prioritizing sustainability, highlighting the organization's clear principles on this matter.
One strategy the IOC is exploring to increase the sustainability of the Olympics is to host events across a wider geographic area, utilizing existing facilities whenever possible, with the Milan-Cortina Games serving as a test case for this approach.
The Milan-Cortina Olympics will feature events in three main hubs – Milan, Cortina, and Livigno – with only two newly constructed venues: the Santagiulia ice hockey arena and the Cortina Sliding Centre.
This approach will also be implemented at the upcoming French Alps 2030 and Utah 2034 Winter Olympics, as well as the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane, which will feature venues across Queensland.
However, the adoption of this approach has raised concerns, with Brisbane organizers indicating that they may exceed the initial budget of $4.9 billion (£3.6 billion).
Coventry observed that the IOC is gaining valuable experience from the spread-out format of the Milan-Cortina Games, which will inform future decisions on sustainability and event organization.
While the spread-out format is intended to reduce the environmental impact of the Games, it also presents challenges for National Olympic Committees, as well as broadcast and media teams, who must navigate the dispersed locations.
Coventry noted that the use of iconic venues in scenic locations is a positive aspect of this approach, but it is essential to strike a balance between sustainability and the potential complexities that arise from hosting events across a wider area.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics officially commence with the opening ceremony on Friday, following the start of the curling events on Wednesday, Coventry expressed her hope that all participating nations will be treated with respect by spectators.
Specifically, Coventry addressed concerns surrounding the presence of ICE agents in Milan, urging spectators to extend respect to all teams, including the USA.
Coventry emphasized the importance of respect and unity during the opening ceremony, citing her visit to the Olympic village as a reminder of the values that the Games embody.
She expressed her hope that the opening ceremony will serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of respect and unity among all participants.
The 2026 Team GB flagbearers have been announced as Fear and Hall.
There have been reports of Russian athletes being linked to pro-war activities.
A quiz is available to test knowledge of the various sports featured at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
News
GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.
For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.
Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.
News
Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling
A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.
The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.
Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.
Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.
Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.
The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.
The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.
The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.
The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.
The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.
Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.
Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.
Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.
Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.
The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.
The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.
Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.
Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.
George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.
He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.
However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.
The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.
News
Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event
The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.
A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.
A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.
The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.
The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.
Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.
Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.
According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.
The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.
Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.
The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.
However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.
Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.
Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.
During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.
The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.
A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.
Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.
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