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Israel's Barnabas Szollos, followed by a drone camera, competes in the men's downhill alpine skiing event during the Milano-Cortina Games on Saturday. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI /AFP via Getty ImagesArticle contentIn the ever-evolving chase to provide viewers with the best possible camera angles and views, aerial drones have taken over the Olympics in a big way.

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For anyone watching downhill skiing, Big Air snowboard or luge events during the first few days at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, you will probably have heard a high-pitched buzzing sound coming from above the athletes.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle content document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { const template = document.getElementById('oop-ad-template'); if (template && !template.dataset.adInjected) { const clone = template.content.cloneNode(true); template.replaceWith(clone); if (template.parentElement) { template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected = "true"; } } });Article contentThis humming noise, caused by spinning propellers from the first-person view drones, might be slightly annoying for some watching at home and in person at the Games, but with it comes never-before-seen camera footage from high above the skiers as they race down the mountain or snowboarders flying through the air.

United States’ Oliver Martin is followed by a drone as he competes during the men’s snowboarding big air finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy on Saturday. Photo by Lindsey Wasson /APArticle contentAthletes give the approval

Using the drones gives viewers a real sense of how fast the skiers are sliding downhill without compromising the athletes’ performance.

“We strive to offer the best viewing experience whether in the stadium or outside,” International Olympic Committee sports director Pierre Ducrey said. “We believe… that the drones do not impact significantly the experience of the athletes. We have looked into it to make sure it doesn’t. Maybe some people are more sensitive than others.

“We are trying to make sure that the way we improve broadcasting of the Games is certainly not an obstacle for the performances of the athletes,” he said.

A drone operator prepares to cover the men’s 5,000 metres speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, on Sunday. Photo by Luca Bruno /APArticle contentDucrey also said that they sought out athletes’ feedback to make sure the drones didn’t bother them.

In one of the first downhill training sessions, a drone crash-landed on the hill and scattered debris on the course. This crash was considered a minor incident and had no impact on any of the athletes.

The buzzing sound isn’t for everyone, as Billy Newport posted his displeasure on X.

I think the sound of the Winter Olympics outdoor events is drones rushing around, I don't like the sound intruding on events (no issue with using drones but there must be a way to remove the noise).

This isn’t the first time drones have been used at the Olympics, as they were used at the 2024 Paris Summer Games, but not to the extent that they are being used now.

Five things to watch as the Canadian men's hockey team arrives for the 2026 Olympics Here's what you missed at the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});Article contentSoccer Canada drone scandal

For Canadians, the use of drones also brings to mind the scandal created by the women’s soccer team’s support staff when a drone was flown over a New Zealand practice session in July 2024 to record tactical information at the Paris Olympics. Head coach Bev Priestman, assistant Jasmine Mander, and analyst Joseph Lombardi were eventually fired by Canada Soccer for their role in the scandal.

It’s safe to assume camera drones will become even more common at these Olympics and future Games.

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