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Livigno: American Winter Olympians have spoken about the strength of diversity and the importance of free speech, after US President Donald Trump called skier Hunter Hess a “real loser” for talking about the mixed emotions he felt representing the US at the 2026 Olympics.
During a press conference last week, Hess spoke about the difficulty of representing America given the widespread protests and violence in the US after ICE agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month.
US President Dnald Trump called American skier Hunter Hess a “real loser”.Credit: AP, Getty Images
“There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said. “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.”
Trump hit back at Hess on Truth Social where he said that Hess “shouldn’t have tried out for the team, and it’s too bad he’s in it”, and that it was “very hard to root for someone like this”.
The United States halfpipe team was asked about Trump’s comments in Livigno on Monday, where Maddie Mastro said it was important to speak up on injustice.
“I’m proud to represent Team USA and my country,” Mastro said. “I’m also saddened with what’s happening at home. It’s really tough, and I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to that.
United States teammates Bea Kim and Chloe Kim at a press conference in Livigno on Monday.Credit: Getty Images
“But at the same time, I represent a country that has the same values as mine of kindness and compassion, and we come together in times of injustice.”
Teammate Bea Kim, whose grandparents immigrated to the United States from Korea, said there had been plenty of division.
“I personally am very proud to represent the United States. That being said, I think diversity is what makes us a very strong country and what makes us so special,” Kim said.
“I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the world where you can really have the opportunity to do whatever you want. I mean, I think the four of us sitting here today are an example of that. We all came from very different backgrounds…and we all got to just chase our dreams and be here.”
US Vice President JD Vance at the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.Credit: Getty Images
Her comments were echoed by Chloe Kim, a two-time Olympic halfpipe champion whose parents emigrated from South Korea, and who also spoke of the opportunities the US had given her family.
“Obviously, my parents being immigrants, this one definitely hits pretty close to home and I think in moments like these, it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another, for all that’s going on,” Kim said.
“I think that I’m really proud to represent the United States. The US has given my family and I so much opportunity, but I also think that we are allowed to voice our opinions on what’s going on, and I think that we need to lead with love and compassion and I would love to see some more of that.”
The presence of US Vice President JD Vance at the Milano Cortina Olympics has been ill-received by Italian citizens, who have taken to the streets to protest his presence along with a contingent of ICE agents.
The animosity towards Vance and ICA at the Games was on show at the San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony last week, where the crowd booed when Vance was shown on screen.
The Winter Olympic Games will be broadcast on the Nine Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
