The International Olympic Committee has announced it will not ban the United States from the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, despite calls for exclusion following the recent US-led capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. The committee emphasized its commitment to keeping politics separate from sports, stating that its role is to unite athletes from around the world, regardless of political conflicts. While Russian teams remain banned due to the invasion of Ukraine, the IOC noted that its sanctions are based on violations of the Olympic charter rather than political actions. The decision comes amid broader debates about the intersection of international politics and major sporting events, with some officials also urging action from other sports governing bodies.