sports
February 10, 2026
Pride and unease: US Winter Olympians navigate politics, patriotism and Trump attacks
Some athletes at the Milano Cortina Games speaking out on the complications of representing the US abroad are facing hostility from home
TL;DR
- US athletes at the Winter Olympics are more openly discussing political tensions and their mixed feelings about representing the country.
- Freestyle skier Hunter Hess drew criticism from Donald Trump for expressing "mixed emotions" about competing, with Trump stating Hess shouldn't have tried out if he didn't represent his country.
- Athletes like Chris Lillis and Amber Glenn also shared their discomfort with current US political climate and policies.
- The backlash has extended to other athletes, including former US Olympian Gus Kenworthy, who received death threats for criticizing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Many athletes distinguish between representing the nation and endorsing every government policy, focusing instead on core American values like inclusion, opportunity, and community.
- The presence of US immigration enforcement personnel in Italy for Olympic security has also fueled protests and reinforced the sense that domestic political debates are following athletes.
- The USOPC is monitoring online abuse and threats directed at athletes and working with platforms and law enforcement to ensure athlete safety.
Continue reading the original article