2026 Winter Olympics: Drone footage proves contentious during large ski and luge events

However, Games organizers say they have not received any complaints from athletes or teams.

“When you prepare for a broadcast, you take a lot of time to test things, including with high-level athletes to make sure there is minimal disturbance. This is something we worked on a lot,” said Pierre Ducray, IOC’s sports director.

“You saw the events at the weekend. We have to make sure it doesn’t affect performance.

“It’s an evolution. Integration seems to be something we can manage, so we’re very happy.”

“We tested the drones before the competitions,” said Anna Riccardi, Sports Director of the Milan Cortina Games.

“We have listened to the athlete community so that the impact will not affect their performance – and will not inconvenience them in any way.

“Every athlete has a different level of sensitivity, awareness and ability to deal with innovation.

He added: “So far, we have not received any complaints that might lead to us not using drones in the future.”

While drone pilots have heaped praise on their ability to control small flying cameras at such speeds, things haven’t been quite so perfect.

One of the drones crashed on the first downhill practice, leaving debris in the course.

Drones are controlled on site. For glide events, the pilot and co-pilot sit in a small tent near the track and fly it from there.

They follow the athletes from the top of the track to the third corner, then back to the tent.