The International Olympic Committee hopes for fair play after US Vice President JD Vance was booed at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games opening ceremony.
MILAN: The International Olympic Committee expressed hope for “fair play” after US Vice President JD Vance was booed during the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Audible jeers echoed through Milan’s San Siro stadium when Vance appeared on the big screen alongside his wife Usha.
The US Olympic team itself received loud applause from the audience. IOC communications director Mark Adams addressed the incident at a news conference.
“With the vice president, what I would say is that with the next Games coming up in Los Angeles we are super happy that the US administration is so engaged with the Games here,” Adams stated. He emphasised the positive relationship with the American administration for the future Olympic movement.
Adams, who was present in the stadium, noted the organisation’s primary focus is sport. “Seeing the US team cheered as they were by the audience, fair play, that was fantastic,” he added.
“In general, I would say at sporting events, we like to see fair play but in terms of having a good relationship with the administration, that is only good news for us.” IOC chief Kirsty Coventry met Vance before the ceremony to discuss preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.
Adams described the meeting between Coventry and Vance as having “very good chemistry” and said it “went incredibly well”. He declined to provide further details on their discussions.
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in Milan on Friday against Vance’s visit. They also objected to the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents assisting with the American delegation’s security.
The Israeli team also received a smattering of boos during the athletes’ parade. Adams commented on the broader principle of separating athletes from politics.
“Whatever background they’re from, I don’t think you want to see any booing there,” he said. “If you want to get philosophical about it, one of the ideas is that the athletes shouldn’t be punished for whatever their country has done.”
