Olympic Skier Gus Kenworthy Sparks Controversy with Graphic Protest Against ICE Ahead of 2026 Games
A British-American Olympic skier, Gus Kenworthy, ignited a firestorm of controversy Friday by posting a provocative anti-ICE message on social media as the opening ceremonies for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics approached. The athlete, who is slated to compete for Great Britain in freestyle skiing, shared an image on Instagram depicting the words “f— ICE” written in the snow, reportedly using urine. He simultaneously called on Americans to contact their senators and oppose Department of Homeland Security funding negotiations.
Kenworthy’s post arrived amidst heightened tensions surrounding the operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly following tragic events in Minnesota. He captioned the image with a stark statement, asserting, “Innocent people have been murdered, and enough is enough.” He argued that continued inaction while ICE operates with “unchecked power” is unacceptable, and urged lawmakers to implement “real guardrails and accountability.” Specifically, he called for removing ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from communities, ending “blank-check funding for brutality,” and establishing clear limitations on arrests, profiling, and enforcement in sensitive locations like schools and hospitals.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) indicated that Kenworthy would not face repercussions for expressing his political views. “During the Olympic Games, all participants have the opportunity to express their views as per the athlete expression guidelines,” a spokesperson for the IOC told the Press Association. “The IOC does not regulate personal social media posts.”
The timing of Kenworthy’s protest is particularly sensitive, coinciding with outrage over ICE’s actions in Minnesota. In January, Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed, fueling public anger. Furthermore, ICE agents were anticipated to provide security for U.S. officials, a prospect that triggered protests and condemnation from Italian officials.
Kenworthy’s athletic journey has been marked by a change in national representation. Born in Great Britain, he relocated to Colorado as a child and initially competed for the United States, participating in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. In 2019, he announced his decision to represent Great Britain on the world stage.
This incident raises questions about the intersection of athletic platforms and political activism, particularly during high-profile international events like the Olympics. While the IOC maintains a policy of non-interference with athletes’ personal expression, the visibility of such protests inevitably sparks debate about the appropriate boundaries of political speech within the context of the Games.
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