The arrival of Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina was meant to signal the start of another chapter in American Olympic competition.
Instead, the team’s 232-athlete delegation has stepped into a charged political atmosphere involving protests linked to the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in security operations connected to the Games.
The situation has created emotional and ethical challenges for several athletes, including freestyle skier Hunter Hess, who is preparing for his Olympic debut under intense public scrutiny.
At 27 years old, Hess finds himself balancing the excitement of his first Olympic appearance with the reality of representing his country during a period of heightened political division.
As demonstrations intensified across Milan, Hess openly discussed his internal conflict regarding what wearing the national colors means in the current climate.
“There’s a lot going on I’m not the biggest fan of. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it,” he said.
“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
The controversy stems from reports that agents from the Homeland Security Investigations division of ICE would participate in diplomatic security operations for United States officials attending the Milan Winter Olympics 2026.
While organizers and government representatives later clarified that these agents would not hold law enforcement authority within Italy, the announcement sparked immediate backlash among activists.
Protests erupted shortly before the opening ceremony on February 6, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering throughout Milan.
Protesters voiced opposition through chants declaring ICE was “not welcome” and displayed banners bearing messages such as “You disgust Milan.”
Hess is not the only member of Team USA grappling with the intersection of sport and politics.
Fellow aerial freestyle skier Chris Lillis also spoke candidly about the emotional strain athletes are experiencing while preparing to compete on the world’s biggest winter sports stage.
Lillis expressed both pride and personal sorrow related to ongoing immigration enforcement actions back home. He emphasized that participation in the Olympics does not necessarily equate to endorsement of government policies or enforcement measures.
Speaking to USA TODAY Sports, Lillis said that while he is proud to represent his country, he is also “heartbroken” by ICE raids and crackdowns. He even explained that his participation should not be mistaken for agreement with government actions.
The concerns raised by Hess and Lillis mirror warnings issued months before the Olympic delegation arrived in Italy.
Several political analysts and policymakers cautioned that diplomatic tensions originating from Washington could spill into the international sporting environment, particularly given the Games’ European setting and complex global political landscape.
United States Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington publicly addressed the potential challenges athletes might face, noting the diplomatic ripple effects of recent foreign policy decisions.
“It’s going to be really tough for the athletes,” Pramila Jayapal told The Hill, “because unfortunately, what the president has done has created so many divisions with long-term allies of ours. He’s talking about taking over other countries, and the people of those countries are legitimately upset.”
Despite the external pressures, athletes from Team USA continue preparing for competition with the same intensity and discipline that define Olympic performance.
The team’s coaching staff and support personnel have emphasized maintaining focus on training, recovery, and competition readiness as athletes cope with both physical preparation and emotional strain.
