Athletes Speaking Out at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The modern Olympic Games are intended to promote not only amazing human athletic achievements but also international cooperation, peace, and goodwill. In the words of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), these ideals, called “Olympism,” aim “to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.”

That’s the high-minded, idealistic hope. In reality, from the very first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, the Olympics and the athletes who compete in them have been caught up in the fraught political and cultural concerns of the moment. In the 21st century there is perhaps greater media scrutiny of Olympic athletes than ever before, as they are frequently asked to weigh in on controversial subjects or respond to criticism lobbed at them by politicians, other athletes, and fans.

This trend has only increased at the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, which began on February 6, 2026, and will run until February 22. Competitors from around the world have spoken out on a range of issues, but American athletes in particular have been drawn into commenting on current events in the United States. Here are some notable examples of athletes speaking out.

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Hunter Hess

Many reporters asked American athletes to comment on the second term of U.S. Pres. Donald Trump and especially the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which resulted in the killings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in the weeks before the Milano Cortina Winter Games began. On February 6 American freestyle skier Hunter Hess said:

It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think. 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. I think for me it’s more [that] I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S. I just think, if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean that I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.

On February 8 President Trump responded, writing on social media, “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.”

Chloe Kim

Hess subsequently received support from several fellow athletes. In a press conference on February 9, American snowboarder Chloe Kim was asked about Trump’s comments and said:

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My parents being immigrants, this one definitely hits pretty close to home. I think in moments like these it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another, for all that’s going on.…I’m really proud to represent the United States. The U.S. has given my family and I so much opportunity, but I also think that we are allowed to voice our opinions on what’s going on, and I think that we need to lead with love and compassion, and I would love to see some more of that.

Eileen Gu

Eileen Gu, an American-born freestyle skier who competes for China—and received angry criticism for doing so—echoed Kim’s sentiment, saying:

I’m sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so unrelated to the spirit of the Games. It really runs contrary to everything that the Olympics should be. The whole point of sport is to bring people together. One of [the] very few remaining common languages, that of the human body, that of the human spirit, the competitive spirit, the capacity to break not only records but, especially in our sport, literally the human limit. How wonderful is that? And so to have such divisive headlines try and make their way into what is in my head…one of very few remaining safe spaces that I think people can communicate and share culture.…As someone who’s been caught in the cross fire before, I feel sorry for the athletes.

Mikaela Shiffrin

On February 7 American Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin also commented on how it feels to represent the United States on the world stage. She said:

I think there’s a lot of hardship in the world, globally, and there’s a lot of heartbreak, there’s a lot of violence. It can be tough to reconcile that when you’re also competing for medals in an Olympic event.…I’m really hoping to show up and represent my own values. Values of inclusivity, values of diversity and kindness and sharing. Tenacity, work ethic, showing up with my team every single day…and the values that we bring and put out on the mountain and on the hill every single day. I’m hoping to represent those who have been supporting me this entire time. And I’m really thankful to be here. And my greatest hope for this Olympic Games, from a broader perspective, is that it is a beautiful show of cooperation and of competition.

Amber Glenn

American figure skater Amber Glenn also drew headlines for comments she made at Milano Cortina. Glenn publicly came out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019 and has since been a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community. In a press conference held two days before the opening ceremony for the 2026 Games, she was asked to comment on how the LGBTQ community was doing in Trump’s second term. She said:

It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration. It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights. And now especially it’s not just affecting the queer community but many other communities, and I think that we are able to support each other in a way that we didn’t have to before, and, because of that, it’s made us a lot stronger. I hope I can use my platform and my voice throughout these Games to try and encourage people to stay strong in these hard times. I know that a lot of people say, ‘You’re just an athlete, like, stick to your job, shut up about politics,’ but politics affect us all. It is something that I will not just be quiet about, because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So, of course, there are things that I disagree with, but, as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead of us.

Vladyslav Heraskevych

Ukrainian skeleton sledding athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych planned to compete at Milano Cortina wearing a helmet design that showed photographic portraits of Ukrainian athletes who, he said, had been killed by Russians during the Russia-Ukraine War. The IOC eventually disqualified Heraskevych from competing with the helmet, saying that his wearing it while on the ice violated the IOC’s rules against political speech. Heraskevych—who in 2018 became the first Ukrainian skeleton sledder to qualify for a Winter Olympics and was his country’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony in 2026 in Milan—declined to wear a different helmet and did not participate in the skeleton races. Speaking to reporters, Heraskevych said, “I see the faces on this helmet, and I will not betray them.”

Learn More About the Olympics

Are Olympic Medals Made of Gold?

Which Countries Have Participated in the Winter Olympics?

What Are the Most Dangerous Winter Olympic Sports?

How Are Sports Chosen for the Olympics?

Has an Athlete Died During an Olympic Competition?

Is Hosting the Olympics Worth the Cost?

Is There an Age Limit for the Olympics?