US President Donald Trump has offered his thoughts after Vice President JD Vance was booed by fans inside the San Siro during the opening ceremony for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
On Friday (February 6), Vance led a US delegation that attended the event in Milan. And when the camera panned towards him, a large portion of the crowd reacted with boos.
Although US athletes were cheered as they made their way around the iconic stadium.
Meanwhile, there have also been anti-ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protests in the Northern Italian city throughout this week, as some agents will be present at the Games providing security for US officials.
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ICE agents killed two US citizens – Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good – in Minneapolis in January, which caused widespread outrage and protests throughout the US.
Four Israeli athletes also received a similar reception from the crowd despite International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Kirsty Coventry, suggesting spectators should be respectful ahead of the ceremony.
“I hope that the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as an opportunity to be respectful of each other,” she said.
On Saturday (February 7), IOC spokesperson Mark Adams spoke out on the situation and claimed that the organisation does “not like to see booing” of any country.
"In terms of the athletes and the teams, whatever background, whatever country they're from, I don't think we like to see booing, we want to see sportsperson-like behaviour from everyone,” Adams said.
“It's important that we support our athletes.
"The whole idea, or one of the ideas of the Olympic Movement, is that the athletes shouldn't be punished for whatever their governments have done, and I think that's really important, that we see the athletes and athletic performance for what that says about humanity.
"I know the Italian supporters love their sport. I think when they start seeing amazing performances, whatever nationality, they will cheer those performances."
Trump had earlier responded when addressing the media on Air Force One on Friday, with the president voicing how he was surprised “because people like” Vance.
"It’s surprising because people like him,” Trump said.
“Well, I mean, he is in a foreign country, in all fairness. But he doesn’t get booed in this country.”
Topics: Donald Trump, Olympics
Luke Davies