Boos and political tension mar 2026 Winter Olympics opening in Milan
The 2026 Winter Olympics in AC Milan have begun with controversy overshadowing the event. As 232 American athletes prepared to compete, political tensions surfaced during the opening ceremony. The focus shifted from years of training to an unexpected reaction from the crowd.
The ceremony took an awkward turn when Vice President JD Vance appeared on the big screens. Loud jeers and boos filled the stadium, disrupting the celebratory mood. Many in the audience directed their frustration toward the U.S. delegation.
Phillip DiGuglielmo, coach of U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu, later spoke about the incident. He believed the booing was aimed at the athletes at first. His disappointment was clear, as he felt the moment should have belonged to the competitors after their long journey to the Games.
The political climate has followed the team to Milan. Policies tied to the Trump administration appear to have influenced the crowd's reaction. For the athletes, this intrusion has added an unwelcome layer to their Olympic experience.
All 232 Americans have travelled far and trained rigorously for this event. Their preparation now shares the spotlight with political tensions they did not create.
The opening ceremony's disruption highlights how politics can spill into sports. The U.S. athletes will continue competing, but the incident has marked their arrival in Milan. Their performances will now unfold against a backdrop of heightened attention.
