The Winter Olympics of 2026 are about to be underway and with it the U.S. plan to send more than just athletes.
Starting Feb. 6, The Northern Italian location of Milano Cortina will commence the Olympic Games.
The famous stadium of San Siro Milano will host the Opening Ceremony and officially kickstart all of the beauty and prestige that comes with celebrating the over century-old tradition of globally uniting and celebrating human triumph in athletics.
Recent news has cataloged the famous celebrities from different countries that platforms will attend or even have the honor of carrying a torch.
The current domestic and international political atmosphere have affected many recent events, such as the Golden Globes and Grammys.
Yet it will also be reaching the Olympic Games. Rumors of American Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) being sent to ‘protect’ the American officials from any and all possible threats have been heard and spread throughout the globe.
The rumors were then properly addressed by the Department of Homeland Security as an official statement was shared.
“Obviously, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries,” the statement said.
After discourse online debated their involvement overseas, the department felt the need to clear the water regarding their choices.
“At the Olympics, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations is supporting the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and host nation to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations. All security operations remain under Italian authority,” it further clarified.
As soon news had spread of the alleged ICE presence, Italians were quick to express their disdain towards the idea.
Protests erupted across media sources and public squares at the idea of having ICE anywhere near the Games.
Bruna Scanziani, a young 18-year-old protester that was interviewed at Piazza XXV Aprile on Jan 31, discussed how “all the videos are public, and everyone can see what’s happening.” She added that “the perception of America has changed.”
In addition, Milan’s mayor himself, Giuseppe Sala, has said that public perception of ICE in Italy is clear.
“This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips,” he said. “It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt.”
Though President Trump himself has not commented on these visceral reactions to ICE and U.S. hostility, however, the White House shared a statement on the administration’s behalf.
“President Trump stands fully behind these patriotic athletes who represent some of the best talent in our country,” the statement said. “There is nothing political or controversial about American athletes competing on the world stage on behalf of the strongest and greatest nation on earth.”
Though one could hope that the Olympics will simply act as a global opportunity for talent and human prowess to be shown and appreciated, there is still the very real threat that politics may outshine certain sports. The games, as they’ve always done, will likely act as both a break and opportunity for political statements or backlashes, on both the spectators and athletes themselves.
