As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy kick off, some Team USA athletes are using the global spotlight to voice their opinions on the state of politics back home. In a notable departure from the tradition of keeping sports and politics separate, these competitors are speaking out about issues ranging from immigration reform to racial justice - a move that is sure to stir up controversy.
Protesting Injustice on the World Stage
Figure skater Mirai Nagasu made headlines when she took a knee during the playing of the national anthem at the Opening Ceremony, joining a growing number of American athletes protesting racial inequalities and police brutality. "I'm proud to represent the United States, but I can't turn a blind eye to the injustices happening back home," Nagasu said in a post-ceremony interview.
Meanwhile, snowboarder Chloe Kim has been outspoken about the Biden administration's stalled immigration reform efforts, calling on the President to "keep his promises" to Dreamers and provide a pathway to citizenship. "My parents risked everything to give me a better life in this country," Kim said. "It's time for real change, not just empty rhetoric."
A Delicate Balancing Act
The decision by these athletes to weigh in on sensitive political topics has put the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a difficult position. The IOC has long maintained a policy of political neutrality at the Games, but IOC president Thomas Bach acknowledged that they are "carefully considering" how to handle such protests.
"We recognize the right of athletes to express their views on matters important to them," Bach said in a statement. "However, we must also uphold the Olympic spirit of bringing the world together. It's a delicate balance."
Bigger Picture: The Intersection of Sports and Politics
What this really means is that the long-held tradition of separating sports and politics is increasingly untenable in our hyperconnected, politically-charged world. Team USA athletes are using their platform to draw attention to issues they care about, whether the IOC likes it or not.
The bigger picture here is that this is part of a broader trend of sports figures becoming more vocal activists, from LeBron James speaking out on abortion rights to NFL players protesting police brutality. In an era of heightened political polarization, the line between sports and politics has become increasingly blurred - for better or worse.