The International Testing Agency (ITA) initiated its pre-Games anti-doping program for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with testing recommendations sent to global anti-doping organizations. The program aims for strategic, risk-based testing, complementing efforts by IFs, NADOs and RADOs and will conclude with the Olympic Villages opening on January 30, 2026. The ITA's previous efforts saw 80% implementation of testing recommendations ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. WADA and Benjamin Cohen also provided comments.

CAS partially upheld the Russian Luge Federation's appeal, allowing neutral athletes to compete in Milano Cortina 2026. The ban on Russian athletes was lifted for Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs). Daria Kachanova's appeal against the ISU's decision to exclude her from neutral status was dismissed.

The Finnish Figure Skating Association now permits two women to compete together in ice dance, designating them as 'skater A' and 'skater B,' replacing traditional gender requirements. Emma Aalto and Millie Colling are the first female pair to compete domestically under these new rules, a change inspired by Skate Canada's 2022 policy. While athletes celebrate the move towards inclusivity, Dmitry Svishchev, a Russian official, criticized it as undermining the essence of ice dance, highlighting a cultural divide over the issue.

Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, 12, won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Singapore, sparking debate about the appropriateness of young athletes competing at such high levels. While World Aquatics allows younger swimmers who meet qualifying standards, concerns have been raised about the pressure and potential risks to young athletes. Other federations like the International Skating Union, World Athletics, the International Gymnastics Federation, the International Federation of Sport Climbing, World Taekwondo and the International Hockey Federation have stricter age limits to protect young athletes.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) has taken over the International Skating Union's (ISU) anti-doping program, effective this week, to ensure independence, transparency, and global expertise ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The ITA will handle risk-based test distribution, in- and out-of-competition testing, manage the Athlete Biological Passport program, and oversee Therapeutic Use Exemptions. A dedicated education program will be implemented, and a separate agreement is in place for Individual Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarus participating in the 2026 Winter Games, with rigorous testing conducted by independent personnel and samples analyzed in WADA-accredited laboratories outside of Russia.