MILAN – The opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina is unfolding against a backdrop of internal division for some members of Team USA, as several athletes have publicly expressed “mixed emotions” about representing the United States given the current political climate. The sentiments, voiced in the days leading up to the Games’ commencement, have sparked both support and backlash, igniting a national conversation about the intersection of sports and politics.
Freestyle halfpipe skier Hunter Hess was among the first to articulate these conflicted feelings. Speaking on Friday, ahead of the opening ceremony, Hess acknowledged the difficulty of representing a nation grappling with significant unrest. It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of,
he said, adding pointedly, Wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.
His comments quickly circulated, prompting a wave of reactions online and fueling calls for his removal from the team.
Chris Lillis, a U.S. Aerials freestyle skier and gold medalist from the 2022 Beijing Olympics, echoed Hess’s sentiments. While expressing pride in representing his country, Lillis also voiced his heartbreak
over recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and crackdowns. I love the USA and I think I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics,
Lillis stated. With a lot of times athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things. I feel heartbroken about what’s happened in the United States. … I think that as a country we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect.
Lillis emphasized that his participation should not be interpreted as complicity, and expressed a desire to use the Olympic platform to showcase the America that we’re trying to represent.
The expressions of concern aren’t limited to the freestyle skiing team. Team USA figure skater Amber Glenn also weighed in earlier in the week, expressing concern about the current administration. Politics affects us all,
Glenn told reporters. This proves something I will not just be quiet about.
While Glenn’s specific concerns weren’t detailed, her statement underscores a growing willingness among American Olympians to engage with political issues.
These statements have not been met with universal approval. Online, calls for boycotts of the Games and for the removal of outspoken athletes from Team USA have gained traction. Critics argue that the Olympics should be a space free from political statements, and that athletes who harbor reservations about their country should not be representing it on the world stage. The New York Post reported that some are demanding Hess be pulled from the team.
The controversy arrives as the U.S. Sends a delegation of 232 athletes to the Winter Olympics. The situation highlights a broader tension between the traditional role of athletes as national symbols and their increasing willingness to use their platforms to advocate for social and political change. It also reflects the deeply polarized political landscape within the United States, which is now impacting even the seemingly apolitical realm of international sports.
The timing of these statements is particularly noteworthy, coinciding with increased ICE activity under the current administration. Lillis specifically referenced these operations as a source of his distress, framing the issue as one of human rights and respect for citizens. This direct connection to specific policies has amplified the controversy and drawn further scrutiny to the athletes’ positions.
While Hess and Lillis have been at the center of the debate, their comments appear to represent a broader sentiment among some members of Team USA. The willingness of these athletes to speak out, despite the potential for backlash, signals a shift in the dynamic between athletes and their country. It remains to be seen how this will play out during the Games and what impact it will have on the broader conversation about the role of athletes in society.
The situation also raises questions about the responsibilities of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) in navigating these complex issues. The USOPC has not yet issued a formal statement addressing the athletes’ comments, but it is likely to face pressure to respond as the Games progress. The organization will need to balance its commitment to supporting its athletes with its obligation to uphold the principles of the Olympic movement.
As the Winter Olympics officially begin, the focus will undoubtedly shift to athletic competition. However, the mixed emotions
expressed by these American athletes serve as a stark reminder that the Games are not taking place in a vacuum. The political realities of the United States are present in Milan Cortina, and they are shaping the experiences of those representing the nation on the world stage. The unfolding situation will be closely watched, not only by sports fans but also by those interested in the intersection of sports, politics, and social justice.
