The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina face significant cyber threats due to Russia's ongoing geopolitical tensions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the aftermath of its invasion of Ukraine. Russia's exclusion from the Games is not just a sporting issue; it's a matter of national pride and identity. The IOC's actions are perceived by Moscow as a political attack, undermining Russia's status as a global power. This perception shapes the security environment around the Winter Games, heightening the risk of cyber attacks from Russian-aligned threat actors. Historically, Russia has leveraged major sporting events to assert its influence. Its participation in the Olympics has been a way to showcase national strength and legitimacy. However, the current situation marks a shift from regulatory sanctions related to doping to outright political exclusion, which could provoke retaliatory cyber actions. Past incidents, such as the 2016 breach of the World Anti-Doping Agency by the Russian group Fighting Ursa, highlight the nation’s use of cyber operations to respond to perceived slights. As the 2026 Games approach, the absence of a Russian national team reduces traditional deterrents, making the event a potential target for state-sponsored cyber operations. Potential cyber threats include disrupting critical infrastructure vital for the Games, such as power grids and operational technology systems. The digitization of transport networks, particularly the V2X "smart road" infrastructure, creates new vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Furthermore, the rise of generative AI could enable hybrid threats, combining cyber disruptions with misinformation campaigns to create chaos and panic. This multifaceted threat landscape underscores the need for heightened cybersecurity measures as the Olympics draw near.