Protests and political commentary marked Milano Cortina 2026, with athletes navigating complex issues and facing scrutiny. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) enforced Rule 50 regarding political expression, leading to athlete disqualifications. The events raise concerns about the intersection of sport and politics at future events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Los Angeles 2028, particularly with Donald Trump's potential return to the White House. Athletes grappled with representing their countries amidst global divisions, while the IOC struggled to balance freedom of expression with maintaining a neutral Olympic environment.

At the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, Kim Jae-yeol, President of the International Luge Federation (ISU) and IOC member, was elected to the IOC Executive Board. Simultaneously, Won Yun-jong, a Korean bobsleigh legend, was elected as an IOC Athlete Representative. This marks a significant increase in Korea's influence within the international sports community, with two Korean representatives now holding key positions. Kim's election to the Executive Board, which oversees crucial decisions including Olympic host city selection, is expected to benefit Korea's bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Won Yun-jong, the first winter sports athlete from Korea to be elected as an IOC Athlete Representative, aims to support athletes and promote their rights within the Olympic movement.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is facing criticism from Ukraine following the selection of a Russian national, Anastasia Kucherova, to carry the Ukraine placard during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The Ukrainian government has demanded an investigation and apology, citing a violation of Olympic principles and symbolic insensitivity given the ongoing conflict. This incident follows a previous controversy where a Ukrainian athlete was disqualified for a helmet displaying war-related imagery. The situation is further complicated by the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags, prompting Ukrainian officials to boycott the Paralympic Games.

Pau Gasol, a retired NBA legend and Hall of Famer, has been elected as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athlete Representative. He will serve as the new chair, alongside Maya Blotschovska (Poland), Humphrey Kayange (Kenya), and Oluwaseyi Smith (Canada) as vice-chairs. Gasol, previously an IOC member and committee member, will represent athletes' voices in the IOC's highest decision-making bodies. Korean bobsledder Won Yoon-jong, a former Olympian, will also serve as an IOC Athlete Representative alongside Gasol. This marks the third time a Korean has held this position, following Moon Dae-sung and Seung-min Ryu.

Former Korean bobsleigh star Yoon-jong Won has been elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes' Commission, becoming the first winter sports athlete from Korea to hold the position. He secured the top spot in the election, earning 1176 votes and will serve an eight-year term until the 2034 Winter Olympics. This follows Seung-min Ryu (table tennis) and Moon Dae-sung (taekwondo), and alongside Kim Jae-yeol (ISU President), Korea now has two IOC members. Won, who won a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, has vowed to represent athletes and advocate for their rights within the IOC.