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Letters

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words
In just 100 days, the eyes of the world will turn to Italy as the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 begin. For me personally, these will be the first Games of my presidency – and I could not be more excited that they will take place in a country that embodies passion like no other.
Italy is famous for its natural beauty, its culture, food and fashion. But what makes Italy truly special is the spirit of its people – their warmth, their sense of family and community, and above all, their passion. This passion will be the heartbeat of Milano Cortina 2026. When the athletes arrive, they will feel it. When the fans gather in the venues, they will live it. And when the world is watching, this passion will shine through in everything Italy shares with us.
These Games also carry a special significance for the Olympic Movement. Milano Cortina will be the first Winter Games shaped by our Olympic Agenda reforms: the most gender-balanced in history, staged in iconic venues and breathtaking natural settings, making the most of existing facilities while spreading the Games across regions where winter sports are part of local identity. It is a new model that shows how sustainability, tradition and innovation can work hand in hand.
But above all, the Olympic Games are much more than competitions. They are a symbol of peace and unity in a world too often divided by conflict. Anyone who has visited the Olympic Village knows this spirit: athletes from every corner of the globe, every culture and every background, living together and respecting one another. They compete fiercely, but they also embrace one another as fellow human beings, united by the same hopes and dreams.
The Olympic Games showcase the best of humanity, highlighting the values that unite us as one human family. This is the powerful message that will resonate from Italy to the world. In 100 days, Italy will write the next chapter of Olympic history – with the unmistakable passion and spirit of Italy.
Kirsty Coventry, International Olympic Committee president
If nations could set world records for wellness together
As we approach America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, I’d like to propose something the world could use right now – a friendly competition between nations to break Guinness World Records celebrating physical strength, mental well-being and community spirit.
This isn’t about politics; it’s about people. The idea is simple. The United States and China, along with other nations, could engage in shared wellness challenges that unite rather than divide. Imagine millions of participants worldwide joining together to complete the largest synchronised fitness event, set the record for most people meditating for peace or achieve the world’s biggest mental health check-in in a single day.
These records would promote global health, reduce stress and create measurable unity at a time when the world needs it most.
Friendly competition has always inspired humanity to reach higher. By setting new world records together, we could remind both East and West that real power lies in endurance, balance and compassion – not rivalry.
Jonathan P. Gibbs, Pennsylvania
The latest crypto crash must be thoroughly investigated
I read with interest the article, “Search for trader who gained from crypto crash” (October 15).
It certainly raises questions regarding the timing of announcements and subsequent market movements. It should be noted that the Hang Seng dropped more than 2.5 per cent on the Monday after the crash.
Unfortunately, a lot of people participating in these new asset markets do not seem to understand the risks involved.
I hope the relevant regulatory authorities around the world will investigate exactly why the crash happened and who was involved.
It may also be the case that as exciting as the cryptocurrency industry is, it is at this moment too young to operate on a 24-hour basis until a better system is in place to avoid the huge price movements seen during the period of turmoil.
I would like to note I am writing this not from a perspective of personal loss or gain.
Duncan Hancock, Lamma Island


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Meet Liu Shaoang and Shaolin Sándor Liu, the Olympic gold skaters who made their runway debut

American skiing star Lindsey Vonn says she has ‘no regrets’ after Winter Olympic crash

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games

Counting down to the first Winter Olympics shaped by reforms

The Duomo cathedral is reflected in the glass of the Winter Olympics countdown watch in Milan on October 24. Photo: AP

How Hong Kong can help Chinese drug makers go global

A view of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone on April 24. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong can showcase true sportsmanship at National Games

The National Games Coordination Office holds a pledging ceremony for the 15th National Games’ Hong Kong volunteers at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai on September 14. Photo: Sam Tsang

A woman takes a selfie in front of an installation on display at the National Games medals exhibition in Kai Tak Mall on October 10. Photo: Dickson Lee

Greater Bay Area must seize the chance to ignite the Olympic flame

Olympic gold medalist in fencing Vivian Kong Man-wai (right) interacts with runners after finishing the Honorary Cup event of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Half Marathon on January 5. Photo: Eugene Lee

People watch a live broadcast of the Tokyo Olympics at Causeway Bay and show their support for Hong Kong track cycling athlete Sarah Lee Wai-sze on August 7, 2021. Photo: Dickson Lee

People exercise with smart fitness devices at a park in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on December 27, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

Opinion

Readers discuss a new model for the Olympic Games, a friendly US competition with China and other nations, and the latest crypto crash


Readers discuss a new model for the Olympic Games, a friendly US competition with China and other nations, and the latest crypto crash.


Guinness World Records

Italy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Readers discuss a new model for the Olympic Games, a friendly US competition with China and other nations, and the latest crypto crash

Readers discuss a new model for the Olympic Games, a friendly US competition with China and other nations, and the latest crypto crash