The upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026 will proceed without Russia due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, while also facing environmental concerns and controversies surrounding competitive advantages, according to multiple news sources. The Games will feature innovative routines, such as those planned by ice dancers Chock and Bates, but will also grapple with issues of athlete compensation, privacy concerns, and evolving geopolitical strategies.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is investigating claims that ski jumpers are injecting an acid serum into their genitalia to increase skin suit surface area for greater lift, a controversy dubbed "crotchgate," according to Sky News. This follows tightened rules after similar suit alterations at last year's World Championships. Team GB also faced a hearing regarding banned helmets for aerodynamic advantages, highlighting the ongoing pursuit of competitive edges.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will also showcase the sport of luge, emphasizing its extreme speeds and reliance on milliseconds. Team USA's Jonathan Gustafson, competing in his second Winter Olympics, described the sport as "extreme sledding," detailing the intense training and thrill of high-speed runs, as reported by CBS News.
Beyond the sporting events, the Olympics are also impacted by broader societal issues. Recent developments include the exposure of a network of powerful figures resisting the MeToo movement, the financial struggles faced by many Olympians despite their athletic achievements, and a Senate bill aiming to restrict ICE's use of biometric surveillance technologies, according to Time.
Technological advancements are also playing a role. The unveiling of the NEXUS forecasting model and advancements in robotics actuators are among the developments, as reported by Time.
Figure skating fans can expect to see impressive feats, including the quadruple axel, which involves 4.5 revolutions in the air between takeoff and landing, according to Time. Learning the axel starts with the waltz jump, a half turn from gliding forward to landing backward.
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