The stunt that grabbed headlines
Gus Kenworthy, a British-born freestyle skier who lives in the United States, reportedly urinated the words “F-ck ICE” into fresh snow just before the opening of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. He then shared the image on social media and urged followers to push senators to limit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It was a deliberate protest meant to get attention, and it did exactly that.
What Kenworthy told his followers
Along with the photo, Kenworthy posted a script for people to call their senators. The script asked lawmakers to withhold support for any Department of Homeland Security funding deal that did not place new limits on ICE and Border Patrol. He named concerns like warrantless arrests and enforcement at schools and hospitals. Whether you agree with his politics or not, the move was organized and aimed at influencing a U.S. policy debate.
Local protests and messaging in Milan
The stunt was part of a broader scene in Milan where demonstrators carried signs reading similar slogans and demanded ICE agents be kept away from Olympic sites. Protesters framed the presence of ICE as a political matter tied to public safety and human rights. Organizers made their position clear with banners and chants around Olympic activities.
Why the IOC did not step in
The International Olympic Committee did not punish Kenworthy. Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter bans political demonstrations in official venues. But the IOC said the act took place outside official sites and on personal social media, so it fell outside the rule’s reach. That distinction matters when athletes use personal platforms rather than doing protests inside Olympic venues.
Kenworthy’s history of activism
Kenworthy has a record of mixing sport and politics. Born in England and raised in Colorado, he competed for Team USA in 2014 and 2018 before switching to Team Great Britain in 2022. He has previously spoken out on human rights issues, including LGBT concerns in China before the Beijing Games. Fans and critics expected him to be outspoken, but few expected literal messages written in snow.
British-American Olympic Skier Gus Kenworthy urinates “f*ck ice” into the snow ahead of the Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
The skier then told all his followers to "speak up against ICE" and gave them a script to tell their senators.
Kenworthy is competing for Team… pic.twitter.com/g9OiQWkeHq
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 6, 2026
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