US Vice President JD Vance's extensive motorcade caused significant disruptions during the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, delaying multiple athletes and staff attempting to reach their events. The oversized convoy, consisting of dozens of Chevrolet Suburbans, struggled to navigate the city's narrow streets, creating traffic chaos around key Olympic venues.
Figure Skater Nearly Misses Event
Team USA figure skater Alysa Liu found herself caught in the logistical nightmare as Vance's motorcade blocked access to the Milano skating venue. According to her coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo, Liu arrived with only minutes to spare before her scheduled performance. The athlete had to rush into her costume and barely reached the ice in time for her short program.
Despite the stressful arrival, Liu delivered a strong performance that earned her second place behind Japan's Kaori Sakamoto. This result gave the United States an early two-point lead over Japan in the three-day figure skating competition. Italian media captured footage showing one of the convoy vehicles nearly colliding with a car bearing Italian license plates during the chaotic transit through Milan.
Backlash Against Vance's Presence
The vice president has faced considerable criticism throughout his Olympic visit. During Thursday's Parade of Nations ceremony, spectators booed when Vance and his wife, Usha, appeared on arena screens, despite the International Olympic Committee's call for respect toward all participants.
The negative reaction followed confirmation that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be involved in Olympic security operations. While officials insisted these agents would not employ the aggressive enforcement tactics seen in the United States, the announcement triggered protests across Italy.
Local Officials Condemn ICE Involvement
Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, strongly condemned the ICE deployment, describing the agency as "a militia that kills" and declaring its agents unwelcome in the city. Vance has consistently defended ICE throughout his political career, previously claiming that an agent who killed Renee Good had "absolute immunity"—a statement he later retracted.
The vice president has also labeled Good and Alex Pretti, another victim killed during Minnesota ICE protests, as "domestic terrorists." Vance attended both Friday's figure skating competition and Thursday's women's hockey match between the United States and Czechia during his Olympic visit.
Rail Sabotage Compounds Olympic Disruptions
Separate from the motorcade issues, a coordinated sabotage attack targeted key rail lines near Bologna, causing major delays of up to 2.5 hours on the first full day of Winter Olympic competition. Unknown perpetrators torched a track-switch cabin near Pesaro before dawn, cut electrical cables in Bologna, and placed a rudimentary explosive device nearby.
These actions forced a temporary shutdown of the state-owned Ferrovie dello Stato line between Bologna and Venice. Italy's Transport Ministry described the attacks as "unprecedented" but emphasized they would not damage the country's international image, noting that rail service returned to normal by afternoon. No group has claimed responsibility for the sabotage.
Widespread Protests Against Olympic Impacts
The transportation disruptions unfolded alongside substantial protests in Milan against both the environmental impact of the Games and the presence of US ICE agents. Thousands marched peacefully through the city, with participants including families, students, and activists opposing Olympic construction projects, US security involvement, and fossil-fuel sponsors.
Police employed tear gas and water cannons against a smaller group that attempted to reach a highway near the Santagiulia ice hockey venue. The larger demonstration remained orderly while expressing broad concerns about multiple aspects of the Olympic hosting arrangements.
