LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Chloe Kim And Eileen Gutwo Olympic standouts who have faced their share of hate over the years each weighed in Monday on Donald Trump’s bashing of their friend, American freeskier Hunter Hess, for saying he did not support the US president’s tightened crackdown on immigrants.
“I think it’s really important in moments like this that we unite and stand up for each other, despite everything that’s going on,” said Kim, the two-time Olympic gold medalist whose parents are South Korean immigrants and who has faced racism throughout her career because of her Asian heritage.
Gu, the American-born freeskier who competes for China, said after her slopestyle silver medal victory that she had been in touch with Hess, who told her she was one of the few people who could relate to what he is going through.
“As someone who has been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes,” said Gu, a San Francisco native whose decision to compete for China turned her into a lightning rod.
Hess drew Trump’s ire when he was asked by reporters to give his opinion on the issue suppression of immigration that has claimed the lives of two protesters in Minnesota and disrupted thousands of lives of immigrants and American citizens.
Hess responded: “Just because I carry the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s happening in the US.”
The next day, Trump lashed out at Hess on his Truth Social account, calling him “a real loser” and saying he would be too hard to root for him bee the Games. Hess’s friends – snowboarders and freeskiers competing in Livigno this week – were asked for their reaction.
“My parents are immigrants from Korea, so this one definitely hits pretty close,” said Kim, who begins defending her title on Wednesday.
“I’m really proud to represent the United States,” she said. “The U.S. has given my family and me so many opportunities, but I also believe we should speak our minds about what is going on and lead with love and compassion.”
Other American snowboarders spoke out in support of diversity and the right to expression. “I think there are a lot of different opinions in the U.S. right now. Obviously, we’re very divided,” said snowboarder Bea Kim. “Personally, I 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 that so special.”
Teammate Maddie Mastro added: “I’m also saddened by what’s happening at home.”
“It’s really hard and I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to that. 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,” Mastro said.
Gu called it “an unwinnable press war” for Hess and lamented that the controversy could be a distraction for the athletes and overshadow the beauty of winter sports’ biggest event.
“I’m sorry that the headline overshadowing the Olympics has to be something that has nothing to do with the spirit of the Games,” she said. “It really goes against everything the Olympics should be.”
