Overview
- Kenworthy posted an Instagram photo showing “f*** ICE” scrawled in yellow snow, later acknowledging the message was made with urine and pairing it with a call for Americans to pressure senators during DHS funding talks.
- An IOC spokesperson said personal social media is not regulated under its Athlete Expression Guidelines, and British Olympic officials indicated no sanction while urging the skier to keep his focus on competition.
- The protest drew on outrage over recent DHS-related fatal shootings in Minnesota and on objections to reported ICE involvement in U.S. security support for the Games, which has prompted demonstrations in Milan.
- U.S. Olympic officials said no ICE agents are part of the Team USA delegation in Milan, while Italy’s interior minister said a Homeland Security Investigations presence is confined to U.S. diplomatic missions without executive powers.
- The British-born, Colorado-raised Olympic medalist who once competed for Team USA is slated for the freeski halfpipe, with qualifying scheduled for February 19 at Livigno Snow Park.