The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is shutting down any talk of banning the United States from the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Following a high-stakes U.S. military operation in Venezuela earlier this month, critics and politicians from around the globe began calling for the U.S. to face the same sporting sanctions currently being dealt to Russia.
However, the IOC made it clear that American athletes are not on the chopping block. In a statement released to BBC Sport, the committee stood by its mission of neutrality, insisting that the Olympic arena is no place for political warfare.
“In a world shaken by conflict and division, the International Olympic Committee stands firm in its belief that sport must remain a beacon of hope, a force that brings the whole world together in peaceful competition,” the statement read. “This is at the very heart of the Olympic Movement and derives from the Fundamental Principles of Olympism.”
The push to penalize Team USA comes after reports surfaced that U.S. forces successfully captured dictator Nicolás Maduro and toppled his regime in a surprise move that has divided international opinion.
They explained that as a global organization, they have to manage a “complex reality” at every edition of the Games. “The IOC cannot involve itself directly in political matters or conflicts between countries, as these fall outside our remit. This is the realm of politics,” they continued. “Our role is to ensure that athletes can participate in the Olympic Games, no matter where they come from.”
Despite the noise from international commentators, the IOC has confirmed that no action is being taken against the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
