U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Thursday (local time). [Photo: Yonhap]
U.S. Vice President JD Vance was loudly booed by some spectators during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics.
On Thursday (local time) at San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, Vance stood and applauded as the U.S. delegation entered. When he appeared on the stadium’s big screen, boos rose from parts of the crowd.
The reaction appeared tied to political tensions between the United States and Europe, as well as recent controversy over plans to deploy some U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in connection with the Olympics.
Protests had also been held in Milan after reports that the United States planned to send some ICE agents during the Winter Games.
Before the ceremony, International Olympic Committee member Kirsty Coventry appealed for respect, saying she hoped the opening ceremony would be a place where people “respect each other.” Some spectators’ response during the event differed.
Foreign media quickly reported the incident. Reuters said that when Vance appeared on the big screen waving a U.S. flag, spectators booed.
By contrast, the Ukrainian delegation was met with loud cheers as it entered the stadium.
On Thursday (local time) at San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, Vance stood and applauded as the U.S. delegation entered. When he appeared on the stadium’s big screen, boos rose from parts of the crowd.
The reaction appeared tied to political tensions between the United States and Europe, as well as recent controversy over plans to deploy some U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in connection with the Olympics.
Protests had also been held in Milan after reports that the United States planned to send some ICE agents during the Winter Games.
Before the ceremony, International Olympic Committee member Kirsty Coventry appealed for respect, saying she hoped the opening ceremony would be a place where people “respect each other.” Some spectators’ response during the event differed.
Foreign media quickly reported the incident. Reuters said that when Vance appeared on the big screen waving a U.S. flag, spectators booed.
By contrast, the Ukrainian delegation was met with loud cheers as it entered the stadium.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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