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Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that American athletes competing at the Winter Olympics in Italy should avoid political criticism and focus on representing the country through sport.
The vice president made the remarks to reporters following a visit to Milan, where the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opened Feb. 6. Events are being held across northern Italy amid heightened international attention of the U.S. delegation.
“Yes, you’re going to have some Olympic athletes who pop off about politics,” Vance said. “I feel like that happens every Olympics.
“My advice to them would be to try to bring the country together, and when you’re representing the country, you’re representing Democrats and Republicans.
“You’re there to play a sport, and you’re there to represent your country and hopefully win a medal,” he said. “You’re not there to pop off about politics.”
Vance, who traveled to Italy as part of the official U.S. delegation, added that athletes who speak out on political matters should “expect some pushback” if they “enter the political arena.”
“But most Olympic athletes, whatever their politics, are doing a great job,” he said. “Certainly enjoy the support of the entire country, and I think recognize that the way to bring the country together is not to show up in a foreign country and attack the president of the United States, but it’s to play your sport and to represent the country well.”
Some U.S. athletes have publicly reflected on competing under the American flag amid domestic political tensions. Skier Hunter Hess said that “just because I wear the flag, it doesn’t mean I represent everything that is going on in the U.S.”
President Donald Trump criticized Hess on social media.
“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” the president wrote. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it.”