Dominik Windisch among the sports integrity ambassadors at Milano Cortina 2026
Italian Olympian Dominik Windisch knows the Olympic Games from the inside. After years at the top of international biathlon and three Olympic bronze medals (Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018), he has stepped away from elite racing — but not from the values that shaped his career. As Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, Windisch will return to the Olympic stage in his home country in a new role: helping athletes and their entourage better understand and prevent the threat of competition manipulation.
Key facts
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Dominik Windisch, a three‑time Olympic bronze medallist, will serve as a Believe in Sport ambassador at Milano Cortina 2026, engaging with athletes to raise awareness of competition manipulation.
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Windisch will be present in the Olympic Village in Cortina, whilst two other ambassadors, Mark Fraser and Yura Min will be based in Milan. They will meet athletes at Athlete365 House and support integrity education activities.
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More than 3,000 athletes, entourage members and technical officials are expected to be engaged, learning the risks and reporting mechanisms related to competition manipulation.
The power of peer-to-peer communication
As an ambassador for the Believe in Sport campaign, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s initiative to promote integrity and educate athletes on the risks of competition manipulation, Windisch will meet athletes at the Olympic Village in Cortina.
“I may not be competing anymore, but I still feel a strong responsibility towards sport and today’s athletes,” Windisch said. “Being back at the Olympic Games, especially at home, is truly special, and I’m looking forward to engaging with athletes directly and sharing what I’ve learned over the years.”
On site, Windisch will be joined by two other Believe in Sport ambassadors, Mark Fraser (Canada, ice hockey) and Yura Min (Republic of Korea, figure skating), who will be based in the Olympic Village in Milan. All three Olympians have completed dedicated training, and will interact directly with athletes throughout the Games.
“We take this role very seriously,” Windisch explained. “For me, it’s about being available, listening and helping athletes feel confident that they know how to protect themselves and their sport. Competing in a fair environment is fundamental. Any form of manipulation harms our sporting community, undermines years of hard work, and erodes the trust of Olympic fans.”
He added: “I would like to help the athletes and team members to be more aware of the risks and the rules against competition manipulation, and encourage them to report violations and explain where and how to report them. I’m proud to be part of a programme that helps prevent a threat with such a damaging impact on sport.”
Engaging through fun activities
In the Olympic Villages, from 30 January to 22 February, the ambassadors will be based at Athlete365 House, home to the Believe in Sport booth dedicated to preventing competition manipulation.
More than 3,000 athletes, entourage members and technical officials are expected to take part in the booth’s activities — from spinning a wheel that leads them through real-life scenarios to answering quiz questions or taking part in interactive games. Each activity is designed to explain the rules and risks of competition manipulation in a practical, accessible and engaging way, while creating a welcoming space for dialogue.
As excitement builds for Milano Cortina 2026, Windisch is clear about what success looks like for him. “If athletes leave the Villages better informed, more aware and more confident about protecting their sport, then I’ll know we’ve made a real difference.”
Key stakeholders joining forces
Awareness-raising efforts on preventing competition manipulation are already underway in the lead-up to the Games. Numerous National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations (IFs), often supported by athlete ambassadors, have already delivered educational sessions for their delegations and technical officials.
The IOC also held a global webinar for International Technical Officials (ITOs) on 14 January, offering an overview of the rules, expert insights into competition manipulation, and a look at expected betting market trends during the Games.
During the Games, the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC) will deliver a capacity-building programme for NOCs, following the successful pilot during Paris 2024.