The Japan Times - Olympics chief says Milan-Cortina has set new path for Games

Coventry, overseeing her first Games as IOC chief, said she believed these Olympics, stretching from Milan across the Italian Alps, had fulfilled organisers' promises.

The 2026 Winter Olympics have used iconic alpine skiing venues in Bormio and Cortina d'Ampezzo and organisers built relatively few venues compared to other Games.

"These Games have been truly successful in a new way of doing things, a sustainable way of doing things in a way that I think many people thought maybe we couldn't do... and it's been done extremely well," Coventry said in her end-of-Games press conference.

"It surpassed everyone's expectations and that's what we need to take away from the Games."

- High-stakes ice hockey -

As the Games moved into their final three days, Canada take on reigning champions Finland and the USA will face Slovakia in the men's ice hockey semi-finals on Friday.

The USA and Canada will be favourites to meet in Sunday's final, which should be one of the last highlights of these Games before the closing ceremony in Verona.

The American men will hope to follow the example of Team USA's women's team which won the gold for the first time since 2018 when they beat the Canadians 2-1 on Thursday.

Megan Keller's spectacular overtime strike secured the win.

Hunter Hess, the US freestyle skier who President Donald Trump had called a "real loser" for saying he had mixed feelings about representing his country in the current political climate, said on Friday the barb had given him added motivation.

Hess, who qualified for the men's freeski halfpipe final in fifth place, made an "L" sign on his forehead as he completed his first run.

Asked why he had made the gesture, the 27-year-old said: "Apparently I'm a loser."

Hess said he was embracing the label and that the furore had only boosted his determination.

"I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this moment happen," he said after completing his second qualifying run.

"I'm not going to let controversy like that get in my way. I love the United States of America. I cannot say that enough."

For the second time in 24 hours, a competitor in the freestyle skiing had to be stretchered off the course after a heavy crash.

World champion freestyle skier Finley Melville Ives was "stable and positive" after the New Zealander crumpled to the snow following an aerial trick on Friday, losing his skis and sliding down part of the halfpipe on his back.

The competition was suspended for more than five minutes as he was treated before being taken away on a sled.

New Zealand's Olympic Team said on Instagram: "For those asking, Fin is with his family and being assessed by medical professionals."

Former Olympic champion Cassie Sharpe had a similarly worrying crash during the women's halfpipe qualifying on Thursday, lying motionless for several minutes as the crowd fell silent.

Sharpe, 33, eased fears by waving to spectators as she was taken off the course on a stretcher.

The Canadian Olympic Committee said she was in a "stable condition".

The halfpipe event carries a high level of risk as skiers must perform a series of aerial tricks by propelling themselves high above the edge of a semi-cylindrical course.

Midway through the action on Friday, Norway was way ahead with 17 golds and 36 medals overall, while the USA had nine golds and 27 medals overall, level on golds with host nation Italy.

K.Abe--JT