IOC President Kirsty Coventry addressed a range of pressing issues at her Executive Board Meeting, including the ongoing debate surrounding gender eligibility in sports, the re-evaluation of sanctions against Russia, Belarus, and Indonesia, and preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Coventry emphasized the IOC's commitment to protecting the female category and finding a consensus solution, while also acknowledging the complexities of navigating political tensions and ensuring fair access to sport for all. Concerns regarding ice rink conditions at the Milano arena were dismissed by IOC officials, and ticket sales are nearing 70%. Future Summer Games host selection is also under review.

The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) is preparing a legal challenge against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the ban on Russian teams from international competitions, particularly targeting participation in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament. The ROC argues that the initial reasons for the ban, related to the inclusion of sports organizations from annexed Ukrainian territories, no longer apply. The IOC has reportedly confirmed the ban based on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, adhering to a 2023 recommendation. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will follow the IOC's recommendation. If Russia remains banned, Finland is expected to take its place in the tournament.

Pavel Bure, IIHF Council member, criticized the revocation of accreditation for Russian journalists from TASS at the Paris 2024 Olympics, calling it "Russophobia." The French government cited security concerns, while Bure and Russian officials decried the decision as a violation of press freedom and politicization of the Games. The IOC had allowed 15 Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag.