MILAN, Feb 10 (Reuters) – The U.S. Winter Olympics delegation was drawn into the country’s culture wars again on Tuesday after President Donald Trump called freestyle skier Hunter Hess a “real loser,” prompting teammates to rally around him and defend the freedom of speech they say defines the nation.
Hess had said he felt conflicted about racing for the United States amid political developments at home, comments that drew a sharp response on Trump’s social media and quickly resonated with the U.S. team. What once could have been the mirror image of a private athlete instead escalated into a public confrontation between the president and his country’s Olympians.
Several American athletes took action to defend Hess, arguing that criticizing a competitor for expressing personal doubts went against the country’s stated commitment to freedom of expression.
Their response underscored the uneasy intersection of sports and politics at a Games where participants are united by a flag but divided, like many Americans, by the climate outside the arena.
Ben Ogden, who had just ended a 50-year U.S. medal drought in men’s Olympic cross-country skiing with silver in the classic sprint, said the episode was disheartening.
“I choose to believe that I live in a country where people can express their opinions without backlash,” he said. “Certainly not… without pushback from the president. And that was really disappointing to see, but I hope it doesn’t continue.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
U.S. Olympic cross-country skier Zak Ketterson had previously called the response “pretty childish” and defended Hess’ right to speak openly.
“I think it’s kind of childish to attack someone for exercising their freedom of speech, and given that that side of the political spectrum always defends freedom of speech, it’s, I think, a little bit surprising to see them being triggered like that,” Ketterson said.
Another cross-country skier, Lauren Jortberg, said many athletes were struggling with the personal tension between patriotism and unease about events in the United States.
“It was hard to race in an American suit when you don’t agree with everything that’s happening,” she said, citing what she described as “cruel and inhumane things happening in the United States.”
“Many of us feel that we love our country so much and especially the ideals on which it is based… there are really a lot of personal and internal conflicts,” Jortberg added. “It has been difficult to represent the States at this time.” Curler Rich Ruohonen also weighed in, condemning immigration actions in his home state of Minnesota, while emphasizing his pride in representing the United States.
“We have a constitution and it gives us freedom of speech,” said Ruohonen, a Minnesota lawyer and alternate on the U.S. men’s national team. “What’s happening in Minnesota is wrong. There are no shades of gray. It’s clear.”
Ruohonen said the protests in Minnesota reflected the compassion and solidarity he associates with both his home state and the Olympic movement.
“We love our country. We play for the USA. We play for each other, we play for our family and our friends who have sacrificed so much to get here today,” he said.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, speaking at a press conference in Utah in 2034, praised America’s athletes and defended their right to speak freely while urging unity.
“I think it’s great that we live in a country where people can express our opinions,” he said. “That goes for athletes, that goes for governors and that goes for presidents. It goes for every individual in our country. We believe this is an opportunity to bring people together. People are going to voice their opinions and I’m grateful for that. That makes us better.”
Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, called for Hess’ comments to be viewed in context, noting that he reaffirmed his love for his country and expressed confidence that all Team USA athletes were proud to represent the United States and focused on unity.
