IOC Hit Out With Strong Statement After Fans Defied Orders to Boo JD Vance
A spokesperson has provided the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) stance towards fans booing US Vice President JD Vance during the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony at the San Siro on Friday (February 6).
On Friday, the eyes of the sporting world turned to Milan, Italy, as Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey performed during the opening ceremony for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
During the 2026 Games, 92 nations will take part, including the US, whose delegation was fronted by Vice President Vance.
Vance was pictured at the opening ceremony and greeted by a chorus of boos inside the stadium when he was caught on camera.
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This came after thousands of Anti-ICE protesters gathered in Milan to oppose the US, despite President Donald Trump not being in attendance at the Games.
Ahead of the opening ceremony, IOC President Kirsty Coventry was pressed on Vance’s presence and whether she expected Team USA to receive a negative reception during the games.
“I hope that the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as an opportunity to be respectful of each other,” she said.
But it appeared that not everyone got the memo based on the boos received by Vance and the American delegation on Friday.
The IOC has since responded with spokesperson Mark Adams addressing the incident during a press conference on Saturday (February 7).
"What I would say from the IOC point of view is with the next Games coming up in Los Angeles, we are super happy that the US administration is so engaged with the Games here and going forward,” Adams said.
“That's a great thing for the Olympic movement. We are largely a sports organisation, and seeing the US team cheered as they were by the audience, fair play, that was fantastic, so very happy.
"In general, at sporting events we like to see fair play, but in terms of having a good relationship with the administration, that's good news for us."
The IOC also appealed for sporting conduct from all attendees when asked about the booing of Israeli athletes.
"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 continued.
“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."
Topics: Olympics
Luke Davies