International Olympic Committee calls for calm after dramatic protests, as spectators focus on unity of sport

Demonstrators clash with police during a protest against the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday Feb. 7, 2026. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)

Fireworks, flares and smoke bombs filled air near Milan’s Olympic Village Saturday night as protestors clashed with police. It’s believed that the violent protestors broke off from an initial group that had formed throughout the day.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the anti-Olympics protesters as “enemies of Italy,” following the violence and allegations of sabotage attacks on the national rail network.

The international Olympic Committee called for calm on Sunday.

“(The) peaceful protest, is entirely legitimate in many countries of the world. And we draw a line on violence that has no place at the Olympic Games,” said International Olympic Committee spokesperson, Mark Adams.

Adams told a press conference Sunday, that he believed it was “very much apart” from a separate, peaceful demonstration where an estimated 10,000 people had taken to the streets of Italy’s financial capital, protesting housing costs and environmental concerns linked to the games.

“I think we just need to get on with the games, which will spread a strong message of unity and peace to the world… which I think is very important at this moment in time,” said Adams.

At the Olympic cauldron, located at Milan’s Arco della Pace, hundreds of people filled the square on Sunday to catch a glimpse.

The message of peace and unity is heard by the many who came to see the games from around the world.

“I think it’s brilliant because it brings people together, it brings nationalities together and it’s nice because it’s that competition as well... and it’s a break from other things happening at the moment,” said Christian Wild. He had travelled from the U.K. last night with his son, Alex Wild, who said he noticed an immediate sense of multicultural unity when they arrived.

“We came in last night and it was so nice to hear all the different languages and accents and such that you’re hearing. It’s really nice and people just getting on,” said Alex.

Walking through the crowd sporting American colours and U.S. sweaters, Chris and Tina Deegan had travelled from Long Island, New York for the games

“Sport brings countries together, (and) politics shouldn’t matter you know. Everyone has their own opinions… and around the world there’s a lot of things going on… you come here and want to see the athletes to compete,” said Chris Deegan

He wants to celebrate athletes, regardless of their finishing position, and thinks it’s thrilling to see them compete. Deegan wants people to be focused on the unity of sport.

“It’s only a couple weeks but I hope people take to heart what the Olympics are about and the spirit of the game and the competition. Everybody’s the same right now, no one should be different and everyone should have the same great feelings about this,” he said.

For some athletes the games are also about inclusion.

Speaking to a press conference earlier this week, U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn said she hopes to inspire others to speak up during what she described was a challenging time for the LGBTQ2S+ community.

“I hope I can use my platform and my voice throughout these Games to try and encourage people to stay strong in these hard times,” said Amber Glenn on Wednesday.