U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess stated “there may be a lot that’s nice about America, however there are at all times issues that could possibly be higher,” a day after President Trump lashed out at him for saying he had “combined emotions” about representing the US on the Winter Olympics in response to a journalist’s query final week.
“I like my nation,” Hess, a freestyle skier, stated in a social media publish Monday. “There’s a lot that’s nice about America, however there are at all times issues that could possibly be higher. One of many many issues that makes this nation so superb is that now we have the suitable and the liberty to level that out.
“One of the best a part of the Olympics is that it brings folks collectively, and when so many people are divided we want that greater than ever,” Hess stated. “I can’t wait to symbolize Crew USA subsequent week after I compete. Because of everybody for his or her help.”
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American snowboarders on the Olympics additionally weighed in when requested by a journalist on Monday in the event that they’d like to handle Mr. Trump calling Hess a “actual loser” or how they felt representing Crew USA.
Bea Kim stated she thinks “there are plenty of totally different opinions within the U.S. proper now. Clearly, we’re very divided. I personally am very proud to symbolize the US. That being stated, I believe variety is what makes us a really robust nation and what makes us so particular.”
Maddie Mastro stated she was proud to symbolize the US, however she’s “additionally saddened with what’s occurring at house. It is actually robust. I really feel like we won’t flip a blind eye to that. However on the similar time, I symbolize a rustic that has the identical values as mine, of kindness and compassion. And we come collectively in instances of injustice.”
“My dad and mom being immigrants, this one undoubtedly hits fairly near house,” two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim stated. “I believe in moments like these, it’s actually essential for us to unite and sort of rise up for each other, for all that is occurring. And I believe that I am actually proud to symbolize the US. The U.S. has given my household and I a lot alternative. However I additionally suppose that we’re allowed to voice our opinions on what is going on on. And I believe that we have to lead with love and compassion. And I might like to see some extra of that.”
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Worldwide Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams informed journalists Monday that he was “not going so as to add to the discourse” about Mr. Trump’s comment.
“I will not touch upon the assertion of the president of the US, nor would I accomplish that for some other head of state,” Adams stated.
When requested if Hess wants extra safety after Mr. Trump’s remark, Adams declined to publicly focus on safety points.
The U.S. and Paralympic Committee stated Sunday it was conscious of an growing quantity of dangerous messages directed at athletes, and that it was doing its greatest to report credible threats to regulation enforcement and take away dangerous content material, the Related Press reported.
“I believe it is essential to say what we really feel and rise up for what we imagine in and stand as much as injustice, and I have been actually proud seeing different athletes doing that,” Gus Kenworthy, a skier competing for the UK within the 2026 Winter Video games, stated in a video on social media late Sunday.
Final week, Kenworthy, who’s a twin U.S.-U.Ok. nationwide and has beforehand competed for Crew USA, posted a photograph of an express message condemning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on social media. The message was written in urine within the snow.
“I simply wish to remind everybody that you would be able to love the U.S. and be proud to be an American – I’m – and nonetheless suppose it may be higher, and nonetheless suppose that the nation can enhance,” Kenworthy stated. “And simply since you love the U.S. doesn’t suggest you stand with this administration and stand behind their politics and their laws and help the issues that they help. As a result of I do not. And I don’t help ICE, and I believe it is completely evil and terrible and terrifying.”
Final week, Crew USA freestyle skier Chris Lillis informed journalists, in response to questions on political points at house, that he felt “heartbroken about what’s occurred in the US” and that “as a rustic, we have to deal with respecting everyone’s rights and ensuring that we’re treating our residents in addition to anyone with love and respect.”
Late Sunday, he posted a social media video of him falling whereas making an attempt a ski run.
“For all of the haters this is one among me crashing to get you stoked,” the caption stated. “Don’t fret I am fairly robust.”
“Athletes because the historic video games have been political and politicized,” J. Simon Rofe, an affiliate professor in sports activities diplomacy on the College of Leeds informed CBS Information.
Rofe talked about when American observe medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in protest on the rostrum on the 1968 Olympics in Mexico as simply one among many examples of Olympic athletes utilizing their positions to take a stand on political points.
“What’s noticeable [in these Winter Games] is athletes’ company in being political. So the platforms of social media present that chance to a far larger diploma than we have seen up to now,” Rofe stated. “Sport performs that vast position in society and communities of convening folks collectively. It permits for conversations that would not occur in any other case. Now, a few of these conversations could also be to your style and to your disposition, and a few of them is not going to be.”
