Team GB skier Gus Kenworthy has sparked controversy by urinating the words 'Fuck Ice' in the snow at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The 34-year-old free-ski half-pipe competitor posted an image of the message on Instagram, accompanied by a blistering attack on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
In his post, Kenworthy urged Americans to write to their senators to 'rein in' ICE and border patrol, stating: 'Innocent people have been murdered, and enough is enough. We can't wait around while ICE continues to operate with unchecked power in our communities.' He called for 'real guardrails and accountability' including limits on warrantless arrests and enforcement at sensitive locations like schools and hospitals.
Kenworthy doubled down on Friday with another post, saying: 'My last post was pee so it only felt appropriate to follow it up with a lil' dump … of photos from January. Yes, I am a child.' His comments are notable as ICE agents are in Milan as part of security for US Vice President JD Vance, who attended the opening ceremony. Protesters in Milan carried banners reading 'ICE out' and 'Fuck ICE'.
The International Olympic Committee confirmed Kenworthy will not face punishment under Rule 50.2, which bans political propaganda at Olympic venues, as his post was on social media. An IOC spokesperson said: 'During the Olympic Games, all participants have the opportunity to express their views as per the Athlete Expression Guidelines. The IOC does not regulate personal social media posts.'
Kenworthy, born in Chelmsford but raised in the US, competed for Team US in 2014 and 2018 before switching allegiance to Team GB for the 2022 Beijing Games, where he finished eighth. He has previously spoken out against hosting the Games in China over human rights concerns. Team GB did not comment directly but is understood to be unconcerned as the post is a personal opinion unrelated to the Games.
