Russian who said Olympic movement is in decline is set to be next media manager at 2026 Games

A Russian national, Olga Laeva, has been appointed as media manager for the biathlon venue in Anterselva/Antholz at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Source: Champion, a sports news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company, via its accredited correspondent Maksym Rozenko

Details: Rozenko said that he spotted Laeva's name in the event media guide.

Laeva holds views described as typical among Russians regarding the ban on Russia as an aggressor state in international sport and has also expressed opinions about the global Olympic movement that are unusual for her role.

Laeva had planned to work at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics but was ultimately removed. In an interview with the Russian propaganda outlet Sport Express, she commented, "These are state matters, politics interferes with sport. The organising committee wanted to hire us. But right now you cannot really work in Europe. I am in contact with the Milan 2026 organising committee, which means they have not removed us there yet."

In the same interview, Laeva said that the global Olympic movement is in decline. When asked about Russia's alternative to the Olympics, the Friendship Games, given that the Olympic movement is "in crisis", she replied, "I agree, it is an objective fact. The number of countries willing to host the Olympic Games is decreasing."

It is unclear why Laeva sought roles at Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 Games given her opinions. Her social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram are private.

Champion reported that it is launching a petition among Ukrainian journalists and photographers accredited for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, calling on the organising committee to remove Laeva from her duties as media manager at a sports venue described as key for Ukrainians. Champion said that it hopes the initiative will also be supported by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the Association of Sports Journalists of Ukraine, along with other relevant bodies.

The 2026 Olympic Games will take place in Italy from 6 to 22 February. Athletes from 85 countries will compete for 116 sets of medals across 16 sports.

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