More on Politics in Sports
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 16 Feb 2026
Marilyn Langlois | Marilyn's Musings – TRANSCEND Media Service
The International Olympic Committee’s blatant double standards, plus follow the money…
16 Feb 2026 – After publishing my last post on this topic, a friend alerted me to a Strategic Culture Foundation article that elaborates on the blatant display of double standards by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its divergent responses to countries that deny entry to certain athletes, in addition to the way it treats athletes from Israel and Kosovo, vs. those from Russia, Belarus, and Cuba.
I recommend reading it in full. Here are some excerpts:
…In the face of all these crimes committed by Israel — and supported by a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport — Indonesia denied visas to Israeli gymnasts who were to compete in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. The IOC then acted swiftly — to condemn Indonesia! It even banned the hosting of any sports competition in the Asian nation due to its refusal to receive Israeli athletes. The IOC also made it clear in a statement that it would freeze any discussion of Jakarta’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
This case exposes the IOC’s double standard even further. In July of this year, the United States denied entry visas to 12 athletes, two coaches, a referee, and a team manager from Cuba’s national volleyball team, who were to compete in Puerto Rico. In fact, the U.S. has not allowed any Cuban athlete to enter its territory in 2025 — a total of 82 Cuban athletes were prevented from participating in competitions held in the U.S. this year.
Now, let’s have a look at how the IOC is financed:
The organization’s main sources of revenue are Olympic sponsors, especially in the entertainment sector. And the main companies that purchase broadcasting rights for the Games — across television, the internet, and social media — are American. In March of this year, the IOC signed a $3 billion contract with NBCUniversal. Moreover, more than one-third of the IOC’s top partners are U.S. corporations — alongside British, German, Swiss, Belgian, and other firms — all part of the capital of the world’s leading imperialist powers.
As usual, money talks:
It is obvious that with such control over the IOC, the United States and its allies can tear up and spit on the Olympic Charter without consequence. Indonesia was barred from bidding to host the 2036 Olympics for denying entry to Israeli athletes. If the IOC were consistent, it would cancel the 2028 Los Angeles Games and move them to another country — since the U.S. systematically refuses to issue visas to Cuban athletes, and even to athletes from other countries who have previously competed in Cuba.
You may enjoy watching Olympic sports, but be aware that they are dominated by an imperialistic, would-be hegemon that shows little regard for peace, fairness or good sportsmanship on the geopolitical field.
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Marilyn Langlois is a member of the TRANSCEND Media Service Editorial Committee and of TRANSCEND USA West Coast. She is a volunteer community organizer and international solidarity activist based in Richmond, California. A co-founder of the Richmond Progressive Alliance, member of Haiti Action Committee and Board member of the International Center for 9/11 Justice, she is retired from previous employment as a teacher, secretary, administrator, mediator and community advocate.
Tags: Olympics 2026, Sports, USA
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