Fuck ICE: Queer Women Athletes Criticize Trump at the Winter Olympics

The clearest voice came from Gus Kenworthy, a gay freestyle skier: “Fuck ICE,” he wrote in the snow with urine, venting his outrage at the brutal conduct of the U.S. immigration authorities. The snowboarder is not the only athlete using the Winter Games in Italy to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump. While political gestures on the podium have been banned since 2021 under the Olympic Charter, participants are allowed to express their views in press conferences and on social media.

Primarily, the protest targets the Trump administration’s merciless stance on migrants, amid reports that federal agents in January in Minneapolis shot dead two U.S. citizens, including the queer poet Renee Nicole Good (TheColu.mn reported). Following his Instagram post, he received substantial support but also death threats, Kenworthy says.

In 2014, he won Olympic silver for the United States; he now competes for his birth country, Great Britain. Kenworthy’s provocative photo left Trump without comment. But the freestyle skier Hunter Hess drew sharp criticism from the President after he, too, voiced concern about conditions in his homeland.

Trump accuses critics of being “real losers”

“Just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I stand behind everything going on in the United States,” Hess said. “It brings mixed feelings to represent the U.S. right now.” On his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled the skier a “real loser.” Support for Hess came from US snowboard sensation Chloe Kim. In response to Trump’s dig, she called for more “love and empathy.” “I think in moments like these it’s really important that we come together and stand up for each other,” Kim said.

Other athletes expressed their critique less directly. When asked how it feels to represent the United States amid deep political divides, Mikaela Shiffrin — the most successful alpine World Cup skier of all time — said she has “some thoughts” on the topic. The 30-year-old American athlete cited South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, a figure also referenced by actress Charlize Theron at the Friday opening ceremony: “Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It is created where an environment exists in which all people can thrive — regardless of origin, skin color, belief, religion, gender, social status, or other societal differences.” These words moved her deeply, Shiffrin says. “For me, this is about the Olympics. I truly hope I can stand for my own values there. Values like inclusion, diversity, and kindness.”

Amber Glenn: “Politics concerns us all”

The bisexual American figure skater Amber Glenn, who won team gold on Sunday, also plans not to stay apolitical as an Olympic participant. “I know many people say you’re just an athlete, you should focus on your job, stay out of politics. But politics concerns all of us,” she said at a pre-Games press conference. The 26-year-old identifies as bisexual and has been particularly mindful of how Trump’s policies affect queer people. Under this administration, “the community is going through a tough time,” she said.

About the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it has been cautious. “I won’t comment on this debate because I don’t think it’s constructive to fuel such discussions,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said on Monday when asked about Trump’s remarks about skier Hess.

By contrast, some spectators in the United States at the Milan figure skating competition held up a flag to TV cameras with a message: “Sorry the world for our bad manners. We will improve.”