US Winter Olympians Weigh In on Politics Back Home as Games Get Underway
As the Winter Olympics kicked off in Italy, a number of US athletes took to the podium and public forums to share their thoughts on representing America amid a highly polarized domestic landscape.
For many of Team USA's freestyle skiers, including Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess, the experience is complicated by the current state of politics back home. Lillis expressed feelings of heartbreak about the direction of the country, saying that athletes have a responsibility to "respect everybody's rights" and treat citizens with "love and respect."
Lillis acknowledged that as an American athlete, he feels compelled to represent values that are at odds with some of the administration's policies. "I think that as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody's rights and making sure that we're treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect," he said.
Hess echoed Lillis' sentiments, but added that his own personal feelings about representing the US are nuanced. While he was disappointed by some of the administration's actions, he also felt a deep sense of loyalty to his country and its people. "I just think, if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it," he said.
Not all athletes were as circumspect in their comments, however. Amber Glenn, a figure skating champion from Texas, was open about her frustration with the Trump administration's policies on LGBTQ rights. She saw herself as an ambassador for the US at the Olympics, but also recognized that she had a responsibility to speak out on issues that mattered deeply to her.
The International Olympic Committee has taken a hands-off approach to athlete comments on politics, saying that athletes are free to express themselves as they see fit – provided they follow the guidelines set by their national governing bodies. Gus Kenworthy, who competes for the UK but holds dual citizenship, sparked controversy earlier this week with a social media post condemning ICE's actions.
The US Olympic Committee has prepared its athletes for potential mixed receptions from international crowds during the Games. "We don't anticipate a lot of negative energy on the field of play," said Sarah Hirschland, CEO of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. "But we've done a ton of Games-readiness preparation to ensure our athletes feel comfortable and are not walking into an environment that's uncertain."
As the Olympics continue, it remains to be seen how many more athletes will speak out on politics – and whether their voices will be heard by fans around the world.
As the Winter Olympics kicked off in Italy, a number of US athletes took to the podium and public forums to share their thoughts on representing America amid a highly polarized domestic landscape.
For many of Team USA's freestyle skiers, including Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess, the experience is complicated by the current state of politics back home. Lillis expressed feelings of heartbreak about the direction of the country, saying that athletes have a responsibility to "respect everybody's rights" and treat citizens with "love and respect."
Lillis acknowledged that as an American athlete, he feels compelled to represent values that are at odds with some of the administration's policies. "I think that as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody's rights and making sure that we're treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect," he said.
Hess echoed Lillis' sentiments, but added that his own personal feelings about representing the US are nuanced. While he was disappointed by some of the administration's actions, he also felt a deep sense of loyalty to his country and its people. "I just think, if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it," he said.
Not all athletes were as circumspect in their comments, however. Amber Glenn, a figure skating champion from Texas, was open about her frustration with the Trump administration's policies on LGBTQ rights. She saw herself as an ambassador for the US at the Olympics, but also recognized that she had a responsibility to speak out on issues that mattered deeply to her.
The International Olympic Committee has taken a hands-off approach to athlete comments on politics, saying that athletes are free to express themselves as they see fit – provided they follow the guidelines set by their national governing bodies. Gus Kenworthy, who competes for the UK but holds dual citizenship, sparked controversy earlier this week with a social media post condemning ICE's actions.
The US Olympic Committee has prepared its athletes for potential mixed receptions from international crowds during the Games. "We don't anticipate a lot of negative energy on the field of play," said Sarah Hirschland, CEO of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. "But we've done a ton of Games-readiness preparation to ensure our athletes feel comfortable and are not walking into an environment that's uncertain."
As the Olympics continue, it remains to be seen how many more athletes will speak out on politics – and whether their voices will be heard by fans around the world.
like i get why athletes wanna use thier platform 2 speak out, but at the same time, its not like they r supposed 2 b politicians or sumthin 
anyway, idk about da ice skaters, amber glenn seems pretty outspoken... maybe she should just stick 2 skating lol 
... I mean, we need more love and respect for everyone's rights, you know? It's all about spreading that good vibes at the Olympics 
... even if some people disagree with the politicians back home. We should be proud of our athletes who are using their platform to stand up for what they believe in 
amber glenn's outspokenness on LGBTQ rights is so refreshing 
but at the same time i can see why they'd feel conflicted - it's not always easy to balance loyalty to your country with standing up for what you believe in 
like athletes r supposed 2 represent a country not make a statement lol, but seriously tho, its kinda cool that they r speakin out on LGBTQ rights, Amber Glenn u got this! 
and i feel 4 Chris Lillis, like if he's gonna say somethin', let him just say it already 
. And don't even get me started on Glenn being all up in arms about Trump's policies on LGBTQ rights... it's a bit dramatic for a sports event, if you ask me 
. Can't these guys just speak their minds without fear of backlash or losing sponsorships? It's like, you're representing your country on the world stage - isn't it cool if you want to take a stand on something? 
! As a nation, we need to come together and respect each other's differences, just like our Olympic athletes are trying to do. I love how they're speaking out on issues that matter to them, even if it means going against the admin's policies 
. It's about time someone started holding those in power accountable! 
. Lillis and Hess are spot on about respecting everyone's rights, but what about the ones who don't agree with them? It's not just about being an ambassador for the US, it's about being human too 
. The Olympics are all about unity, not division 
. Is that too much to ask? 
As someone who's always excited about new tech, but also cares about social issues, I think its great to see athletes using their platform to promote positivity & inclusivity. 
. The fact that Gus Kenworthy got roasted online for speaking out is unfortunate, but I think its awesome that he's not afraid to use his voice 
. And honestly, it feels kinda awkward when some athletes try to stay neutral or diplomatic on issues that are so close to home 
. guess it shows that even in the midst of all the drama back home, theres still a sense of community and shared humanity among athletes across different countries 
its definitely a challenge for athletes to balance their loyalty to their country with their personal values, but I think its great that they're taking the initiative to use their platforms to make a difference