Olga Laiyeva appointed media manager for the 2026 Olympics: Ukrainian journalists collect signatures for her dismissal

Appointment of Olga Laiyeva as the media manager of the biathlon tournament

According to Главком: Olga Laiyeva has been appointed as the media manager of the biathlon tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will take place in Antholz-Anterselva. This decision has sparked outrage among Ukrainian journalists who have begun gathering signatures for Laiyeva's dismissal from this position.

Previously, Laiyeva had planned to work at the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024, but she was removed from that role. The situation is complicated by Laiyeva's participation in propaganda events, such as attending Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual address to the Federal Assembly, which violates the International Olympic Committee's recommendations on athlete neutrality.

Reaction from the sports community

Olga Laiyeva believes that politics is interfering in sports, stating:

“These are state matters”

. At the same time, she acknowledges that “the number of countries willing to host the Olympic Games is decreasing,” which she believes is an objective fact.

Thus, the question of Laiyeva's appointment to a responsible position raises increasing queries and discussions within the sports environment and among journalists.

The appointment of Olga Laiyeva as the media manager of the biathlon tournament amid growing criticism underscores the existing tensions between sports and politics. Ukrainian journalists express concern that her involvement in events related to Russian propaganda may affect the image of the Olympic Games and undermine the principles of neutrality, which are important for the International Olympic Committee.

This situation may have implications for future appointments in sports organizations and for relations between Ukraine and international sports institutions.