VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM MILANO CORTINA 2026 PRESIDENT, GIOVANNI MALAGOOC PRESIDENT, KIRSTY COVENTRY RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: MILAN, ITALY (JANUARY 27, 2026) (AGENCY POOL – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF MILANO CORTINA 2026 PRESIDENT, GIOVANNI MALAGO GETTING OUT OF CAR AT ENTRANCE THE OLYMPIC FAMILY HOTEL 2. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR MILANO CORTINA 2026, GIOVANNI MALAGO, SAYING: (APPROXIMATE TRANSLATION) "I have heard that they (ICE agents) will be present for technical reasons only, because there are high-ranking US government officials here in Italy, but they have nothing to do with the security aspects of the Olympics. I know that this is normal, or almost normal, when presidents or vice-presidents are present, or, as in this case, the US Secretary of State. That's all. Moreover, there are other countries that also have their own security measures in place specifically to support their heads of state, so this is not a matter concerning the Olympics but the individual person. These are technical matters. In my opinion, it is wrong to argue otherwise." 3. IOC PRESIDENT STANDING OUTSIDE HOTEL ENTRANCE 4. COVENTRY HUGGING WOMAN 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IOC PRESIDENT, KIRSTY COVENTRY, SAYING: "We're very excited to finally be here in Milano Cortina, boots on the ground, feeling very excited about that and can't wait to get started with everybody. So looking forward to it and looking forward to seeing you over the next couple of days." 6. WOMAN WALKING WITH A 'MILANO CORTINA 2026' JACKET 6. PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL 7. ITALIAN POLICE IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL 8. PEOPLE WITH 'MILANO CORTINA 2026' CLOTHING WALKING AWAY FROM THE HOTEL STORY: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel will support security operations for U.S. delegations at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The president of the Milano Cortina organising committee, Giovanni Malago, confirmed to reporters in Milan that he'd heard the agents would be "present for technical reasons" but wouldn't be directly involved with the organisers' security operations. Malago responded to questions from reporters saying it was "normal, or almost normal" for high-ranking government officials to provide their own security measures, given that U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to arrive in Italy for the opening ceremony on February 6, the White House confirmed. Vance will be joined by his wife, Usha Vance, the second lady of the United States and the delegation will also include Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta, and several former Olympic champions, including ice hockey gold medallists Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, short track speed skating champion Apolo Ohno, and 2010 figure skating gold medallist Evan Lysacek. A U.S. Embassy source, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media, said ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division would back up the U.S. State Department's security service at the February 6-22 Games. The HSI agents will not carry out any immigration enforcement activity while in Italy but will aim to "mitigate risks from transnational criminal organisations", the source said, without providing further details. "All security operations remain under Italian authority," the source added. Italian media reported at the weekend that ICE officials might be deployed to the country after the controversy over their deadly enforcement methods in the U.S. state of Minnesota sparked concern even within pro-government, conservative ranks. (Production: Tim Hart)
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