Amid political tensions, will there be controversy at the Olympics? – Nationally
The 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics come at a time when political tensions are rising around the world and while the Games have traditionally seen athletes avoid protests, it is unclear whether that will continue this year.
According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the goal of the Olympic Games is “to take action to strengthen the unity of the Olympic Movement, protect its independence, preserve and promote its political neutrality and preserve the independence of sports.”
But with the world in the midst of what Prime Minister Mark Carney called “the rift,” with a host of recent crises in finance, health, energy and world politics, could this be the year that the Olympic neutrality trend is cast aside?
“It’s an interesting situation and it could go either way,” said Julie Stevens, a professor in the sports management department at Brock University, in a written statement.
“Will the norms of the Olympic institution end up being respected and respected by all, or will the pressures of the world create a situation where unbridled self-expression spreads among the fans in the venues, those on social media, and just the media?”
Hundreds of fans have already taken to the streets of Italy this past weekend to protest US immigration and customs enforcement ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony.
Italian lawmaker Riccardo Magi, center, shows a placard demanding that Immigration and Trade agents not be allowed at the Milan Cortina Olympics during a protest by the center-left + Europa group outside the US Embassy in Rome, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.
(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
At the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, large sections of the crowd at the US-Finland game booed the US national anthem after the announcer “asked the fans to respect the United States and Finland.”
Fans have also chanted the US national anthem at home games for the Toronto Raptors, Canada’s only NBA franchise.
“Fans, people who love sports will generally go because they love sports and embrace the culture,” said Bruce Kidd, a retired professor of sports and public policy at the University of Toronto.
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“You don’t go to the Olympics to complain about the Russians or the Americans or maybe the Canadians, but it’s an unprecedented time.”
Kidd represented Canada at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games as a distance runner.
What happens when athletes take action?
At the Olympic opening ceremony, two athletes, one coach and two judges from each country take the Olympic oath on behalf of the entire team.
Part of the oath requires everyone to say that they “promise to participate in the Olympic Games, respecting and observing the rules and spirit of fair play, integration and equality.”
Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states that “no form of political, religious or racial demonstration or propaganda is permitted in the Olympic venues, locations or other areas.”
The IOC says that this law is effective as “the focus of the Olympic Games must be on the performance of the athletes, sports and the international unity and harmony that the Olympic Games want to promote.”
This law also states that although the athletes are allowed to express their opinions before the competitions, they are not allowed to do this during the medal ceremonies or on the podium.
Stevens says the Olympic oath “can seem more symbolic than literal.”
“The IOC promotes unity and peace, but does the organization have enough authority, and power, to implement these standards and ensure that the various stakeholders follow respectful behavior and human behavior?” he asked.
However, there are past incidents where emotions have boiled over.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, US’s Raven Saunders was investigated by the IOC after raising her arms in an ‘X’ above her head on the podium, later quoted as saying the message was “the crossroads where all oppressed people meet.”
When Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia crossed the finish line during the men’s marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, he threw his hands over his head, making an “X,” to show support for members of his Oromo tribe. He later said that if he returns to Ethiopia after the Games, “the government will kill me.” He returned to his country in October 2018 after being encouraged by Prime Minister Abyi Ahmed.
Silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia crosses his arms as he celebrates on the podium after the men’s race at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016.
(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
US women’s soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo called the Swedish team a “bunch of cowards” for focusing on defense instead of attacking the three-time defending champion US team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was later suspended for six months by US Soccer.
Swiss soccer player Michel Morganella was kicked out of the 2012 London Olympic Games following a series of threatening tweets directed at the South Korean team following a loss. Morganella became the second athlete to be kicked out of the Games following offensive social media posts.
“Athletes and coaches are less likely to sing other songs; they are the leaders of the nation and have been counseled about appropriate behavior and expectations,” said Christine Dallaire, a professor in the faculty of health sciences at the University of Ottawa, in a written statement.
Kidd says that the signs of protest and advocacy are different now from years ago because “they are not so much against the other competitors, but in fact declarations of affirmation of who they are.”
Despite this, there is now a strong sense of national pride among many competitors and fans.
“I expect that the tension will be seen in the matches and competitions that will take a new concept, it is not just about beating the US, it will be about winning. [U.S. President] Donald Trump and to show our strength – at least on the ice,” said Dallaire.
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
