From bizarre allegations and heated on-ice confrontations to political disputes and gender equity debates, several incidents dominated headlines throughout the fortnight.
Top 5 controversies at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina (PC: Milano Cortina/X, Sweden Herald)
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered spectacular performances and unforgettable moments, but the games were not without controversy. From bizarre allegations and heated on-ice confrontations to political disputes and gender equity debates, several incidents dominated headlines throughout the fortnight.
One of the strangest stories of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games was the so-called “Penisgate” controversy in ski jumping. German newspaper Bild reported allegations that some male athletes were injecting substances such as hyaluronic acid or paraffin to temporarily increase groin measurements before mandatory 3D body scans used for suit sizing.
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The alleged aim was to secure looser-fitting suits, which provide more surface area and improve aerodynamic lift, potentially adding several meters to a jump. While hyaluronic acid is not a banned substance, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said it would investigate if credible evidence emerged, noting such practices could violate the “spirit of sport”.
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The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), however, dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated rumours and said there was no proof that any athlete had engaged in the practice.
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Curling sparked major controversy at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after Sweden accused Canada’s Marc Kennedy of a “double touch” violation, illegally touching the stone after release to alter its path.
The incident led to a heated on-air confrontation, with Kennedy caught on a hot mic telling Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson to “f*** off,” earning a formal warning from World Curling. The drama escalated when Canada’s Rachel Homan and Great Britain’s Bobby Lammie were later flagged for similar infractions.
Amid the fallout, World Curling briefly increased umpire monitoring before reversing the decision, ruling that enhanced supervision would only be used at teams’ request.
Despite Milano Cortina 2026 being promoted as one of the most gender-equal Winter Games ever, Nordic combined remained the only sport without a women’s event.
Athletes and advocates staged protests, criticizing the IOC for failing to achieve full gender parity. The controversy intensified when officials suggested the sport could be removed from the Olympic program rather than expanded, citing limited global participation.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid caused a media storm at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by using a live TV interview to confess to cheating on his girlfriend. Moments after winning bronze in the men’s 20 km individual, he tearfully called the affair his “biggest mistake” and described the admission as “social suicide”.
The emotional confession overshadowed his medal and sparked debate about athletes’ private lives in the public spotlight, with his former partner later saying the public disclosure made forgiveness harder.
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Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified after refusing to remove a helmet tribute honoring athletes and coaches killed during the ongoing conflict.
The IOC cited Rule 50, which prohibits political statements in competition, prompting backlash from athletes and fans who argued the tribute was humanitarian rather than political. The incident reignited debates over free expression at the Olympics.
While Milano Cortina 2026 will be remembered for historic performances and record-breaking feats, these controversies highlighted ongoing challenges facing the Olympic movement
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