Enhanced awareness-raising initiatives ahead of Milano Cortina 2026

With Milano Cortina 2026 fast approaching, the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC) – in collaboration with National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations (IFs) and athlete ambassadors – has intensified awareness-raising efforts to equip athletes and team officials with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard the integrity of sporting competitions.

A growing number of NOCs, such as Canada, Estonia, France and the US, have already launched structured educational activities for their delegations, either online or through in-person formats.

Integri-Tea virtual coffee session to learn and share

These activities were showcased during the Integri-Tea virtual coffee session hosted by the OM Unit PMC on 2 December. More than 50 NOC integrity experts (single points of contact = SPOCs) took part in an open discussion on practical approaches to awareness-raising and best practices for preparing delegations ahead of the Games and other major multi-sport events.

A strong example of ambassador engagement came from the Spanish NOC, which delivered an online workshop for its entire long list of athletes who have a chance of qualifying for Milano Cortina 2026. Athlete ambassador Felipe Perrone joined the OM Unit PMC to explain the four key rules, alongside protocols for reporting suspicious behaviour.

“Raising awareness prior to major events is one of our key missions when it comes to the prevention of competition manipulation,” stated David Suárez, the Spanish NOC SPOC. “The Integri-Tea event allowed us to share experiences, learn from others and be inspired by new approaches.”

Webinar for winter sports officials

Looking ahead, the OM Unit PMC will continue its global coordination efforts in the coming weeks. As part of the Believe in Sport campaign, it will host a global webinar for International Technical Officials (ITOs) on 14 January. The one-hour session will provide a full overview of the rules in place, share expert perspectives on competition manipulation and examine expected betting market trends ahead of the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.