American Olympic skiers injected politics during an interview

thebesig | February 8, 2026 | 27 Comments

A couple of American skiers competing at the Winter Olympics voiced their opinions against ICE operations in the US. Chris Lillis felt heartbroken over immigration enforcement and the responding protests. Lillis felt that the U.S. needed to respect everyone’s rights and to treat citizens with love and respect. Hunter Hess indicated that it was hard for him to wear Team USA gear given the things occurring in the US that he isn’t happy about. He emphasized that his wearing the American flag didn’t mean that he represented everything happening in the U.S. Another skier emphasized the need for domestic peace in light of the intent of peace represented by the Olympics.

From Breitbart:

While speaking at a press conference, Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess attempted to distance themselves from ICE. They clarified that while they support their country, they don’t “represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” according to Reuters.

“I feel heartbroken about what’s happened in the United States ….. I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE, and some of the protests and things like that,” Lillis stated.

Lillis added that he felt like the United States needs “to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect.”

Hess also expressed that it was “a little hard” for him to “wear Team USA gear” as there was “a lot going on that” he isn’t “the biggest fan of.”

“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” Hess added.

Other freestyle skiers on Team USA, such as Alex Ferreira, expressed that the Olympics represented “peace.”

“Let’s not only bring world peace, but domestic peace within our country as well, hopefully,” Ferreira added.

Additional Reading:

Weibel, E. (2006, February 6). Team USA Olympic skiers ‘heartbroken,’ say they don’t represent ICE operations by wearing American flag. Breitbart. Link.