Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy faced a wave of online backlash, including death threats, after posting a protest message against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. The incident highlights the increasing intersection of athletics and political activism, and the potential health consequences of online harassment for public figures.
Kenworthy, who now competes for Great Britain but previously won a silver medal for the United States at the 2014 Olympics, wrote “fuck ICE” in the snow, reportedly using urine to create the message. He shared the post on Instagram on Sunday, February 9, 2026, alongside a call to action, urging Americans to contact their senators regarding potential reforms to enforcement procedures amid possible Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown negotiations.
“Maybe that’s the price you pay for speaking up and using your platform,” Kenworthy said in a subsequent Instagram video, adding that it was important “to stand up to injustice.” He explained his connection to the U.S., stating, “You can love the U.S. And be proud to be an American ― I am ― and still think it can be better.”
The athlete, who is openly gay, recounted his upbringing, having been born in England to a British mother and raised in the United States. He now represents Great Britain, hoping to craft his mother proud. The post sparked a significant negative reaction online, with Kenworthy reporting receiving threats to his life and physical safety. “People are telling me to kill myself,” he said. “They’re threatening me, wishing I’d break my neck competing.”
The timing of Kenworthy’s protest coincided with heightened scrutiny of ICE following a January incident in Minneapolis, where immigration agents shot and killed two Americans, fueling protests against the agency’s tactics. In response to the controversy, the U.S. Olympic team even changed the name of its team house from “The Ice House” to “The Winter House.”
Despite rules prohibiting political statements at the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated that Kenworthy did not violate any regulations, characterizing the message as a private act. The British Olympic team likewise released a similar statement. The IOC’s decision not to sanction Kenworthy has ignited debate about the boundaries of athlete activism.
Kenworthy, who briefly retired in 2022 before returning to competition for the Milan Cortina Games, continues to compete in the freeski halfpipe. His outspoken stance against ICE and the Trump administration, as reported by MSN, underscores his commitment to social and political issues. HuffPost reported that the athlete remains undeterred by the backlash, emphasizing the importance of challenging injustice.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential for online harassment to impact mental and physical well-being, even for high-profile individuals. The outpouring of both support and negativity highlights the complex relationship between athletes, activism, and public discourse in the modern era.
