On 6 February, European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, and Commissioner Glenn Micallef, attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina. In their respective social media messages, they highlighted the inspiring power of sport, the importance of its core values, and the need for continued investment in the sector. Commissioner Micallef also used the occasion to launch the new #BeActiveWinter initiative, building on a decade of the European Week of Sport. Set to begin in February 2027, the initiative will celebrate winter sports and encourage more active lifestyles across Europe.
On another note, leaders of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe issued a statement on the Olympics arguing on the primacy of human rights over the neutrality and autonomy of sports. The statement also vehemently rejected the weaponisation of athletes’ performances for political propaganda.