“Carrying the flag does not mean I represent everything that is happening in the United States.” The statement by American freestyle skier Hunter Hess, made ahead of the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, encapsulates the position expressed by several members of Team USA regarding the country’s immigration policies and the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement –ICE–. His remarks, delivered in the mixed zone, have drawn reactions within the Olympic environment and across the U.S. political sphere.
Hess, who is competing in the men’s freeski halfpipe at his first Olympic Games, acknowledged that he has “mixed emotions” about representing his country under the current circumstances. “It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” he said. He added that his participation is rooted primarily in personal ties: “For me, it’s about representing my friends and family back home, the people who supported me getting here. If it aligns with my moral values, that’s what I feel I’m representing.”
The athletes’ understanding of representation
Two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Chris Lillis, an aerials specialist, also addressed the domestic situation in the United States directly. “I love the USA. I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympic Games,” he stated, before continuing: “It breaks my heart what’s happening in the United States. I’m pretty sure you’re referring to ICE and some of the protests and related situations.”
Lillis argued that the country must “focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens, as well as anybody, with love and respect.” He also drew a distinction between athletic representation and political leadership: “I hope that when people watch athletes compete at the Olympic Games, they understand that’s the America we’re trying to represent.”
Boos in Milan and backlash on social media
The comments were made in the lead-up to Friday’s ceremony at San Siro stadium in Milan, amid protests against the presence of ICE agents in Italy as part of the security detail for U.S. Vice President JD Vance. During the parade of nations, Team USA was met with boos from sections of the crowd, which intensified when Vance appeared on the stadium screens.
On social media, the skiers’ remarks triggered immediate backlash. Some users questioned their place on the Olympic team, posting messages such as: “You shouldn’t represent the United States if you hate it,” and “They should be sent back home immediately.” Critics argued that the athletes were bringing a domestic political debate onto the Olympic stage.
Freedom of expression and Trump’s response
The controversy unfolded alongside comments from freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, now representing Team GB and previously an Olympian for the United States in 2014 and 2018. In a social media post, he wrote: “Innocent people have been murdered, and enough is enough. We can’t wait around while ICE continues to operate with unchecked power in our communities.” He also urged U.S. senators to establish “real guardrails and accountability,” including limits on certain enforcement actions.
The International Olympic Committee –IOC– confirmed through a spokesperson that no sanction would follow, as the post was made on personal social media. “During the Olympic Games, all participants have the opportunity to express their views as per the Athlete Expression Guidelines. The IOC does not regulate personal social media posts,” the organization stated, referring to the application of Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter.
The political dimension intensified when President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social to Hess’s remarks: “U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this.”
