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U.S. Vice President Jeered at Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
American athletes received a warm reception at the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday, though the welcome didn’t extend to all U.S. representatives present at the event.
Led by speedskater Erin Jackson, who served as flag bearer, Team USA was among the final delegations to enter Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium during the traditional parade of nations. While the crowd greeted the American athletes with enthusiastic applause, the atmosphere noticeably shifted when cameras turned to Vice President JD Vance.
As Vance and his wife, second lady Usha Vance, appeared on the stadium’s screens waving American flags from the tribune, audible jeers and whistles emerged from sections of the international crowd. The moment highlighted growing tensions between the United States and some of its traditional allies.
Diplomatic observers note that support for the U.S. among international partners has weakened considerably in recent months. The Trump administration’s second term has been marked by an increasingly assertive foreign policy approach, including the implementation of punitive tariffs against various trading partners, military intervention in Venezuela, and controversial statements regarding territorial ambitions toward Greenland.
The reaction to Vance wasn’t isolated. Similar jeers echoed through the stadium when Israel’s Olympic delegation made their entrance, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions currently playing out on the world stage.
This Olympic Games marks a departure from tradition in several ways. Beyond the diplomatic undercurrents, the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics features an unprecedented geographic spread. While the main opening ceremony was held in Milan’s San Siro stadium, simultaneous athlete parades took place in three additional locations across northern Italy: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, and Predazzo.
This dispersed approach makes the 2026 Games the most geographically widespread Winter Olympics in history, covering a vast swath of northern Italy’s Alpine region. The organizing committee has embraced this multi-venue approach as a way to showcase more of the country’s diverse winter sports destinations while distributing the economic benefits and logistical challenges across multiple communities.
The decision to spread events across such distances hasn’t been without criticism. Some sports analysts have raised concerns about athlete travel times between venues and the challenges of creating a cohesive Olympic atmosphere when competitions are so widely separated. However, proponents argue that this model represents a more sustainable approach to hosting the Games, utilizing existing infrastructure rather than concentrating massive construction projects in a single area.
For Team USA, the opening ceremony marked the beginning of what they hope will be a successful medal campaign. American winter sports athletes have been preparing intensively, with particularly strong prospects in events like alpine skiing, snowboarding, and figure skating.
The reception of Vice President Vance serves as a reminder that Olympic Games, despite their celebration of athletic achievement and international goodwill, inevitably reflect broader geopolitical realities. While the Olympic movement strives to transcend politics, the reactions from the crowd demonstrated how global tensions can permeate even sporting celebrations.
As competition begins in earnest across the various venues of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, athletes will now shift their focus from ceremony to performance, with years of training culminating in their pursuit of Olympic glory on northern Italy’s slopes and ice.
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10 Comments
The warm reception for the US athletes is heartening, even as the VP faces a frosty welcome. Sports should bring people together, but geopolitics often gets in the way.
Indeed, it’s a shame when political divisions spill over into international sporting events. Hopefully the athletes can still enjoy the competition and camaraderie.
The jeers for the US VP are concerning, but not surprising given the recent diplomatic tensions. I’m curious to learn more about what’s driving the shift in international attitudes towards the US.
Yes, it seems the US administration’s more assertive foreign policy approach has taken a toll on international goodwill. Rebuilding trust with allies will be an uphill battle.
While the cold reception for the VP is concerning, I’m glad to see the American athletes receiving a warm welcome. Sports can be a powerful unifier, even amidst geopolitical tensions.
Agreed. It’s a shame the VP’s presence seemed to sour the mood, but the athletes’ reception is a positive sign. Hopefully the focus can remain on the sporting events themselves.
Interesting to see the shifting dynamics at play here. I wonder what specific policies or actions have eroded support for the US among its traditional allies. More context would be helpful to understand the situation.
You raise a good point. The article mentions punitive tariffs, but there are likely other factors at play. A more in-depth analysis of the US-ally tensions would provide valuable insights.
The jeering of the US VP is a stark reminder of the fraught state of global diplomacy. It’s a shame when political differences overshadow the spirit of international cooperation and competition.
The shift in international attitudes towards the US is an important development to follow. I wonder if this will have any implications for the US’s global influence and relationships with key allies.