Milan, Italy – The early days of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have been marked by both athletic competition and public dissent. On Day 2 of the games, Team GB athletes have seen notable success in mixed doubles curling, advancing to the semi-finals. However, parallel to the sporting events, protests have taken place in Milan, near the athletes' village, with police deploying measures to control demonstrators. A Team GB skier, Gus Kenworthy, also posted a message on social media that has been described as a protest against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Unrest Surrounds Milan-Cortina Games
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which commenced with an opening ceremony at the San Siro stadium, have quickly become a focal point for various societal discussions, extending beyond the sporting arena. Reports from Day 2 indicate that while athletic contests progressed, civil unrest also became a visible element of the Games' environment.
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Team GB's Curling Success: The mixed doubles curling team from Great Britain has shown strong performance, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a rapid qualification. This success places them among the leading contenders in their discipline.
Milan Protests: Near the location of the athletes' village, demonstrators gathered. Police forces were observed using tear gas and water cannons to manage the crowds. The protests appear linked to the involvement of the US ICE agency in the security arrangements for the Games.
Athlete's Social Media Activity: Gus Kenworthy, a freestyle skier representing Team GB, shared a message on social media that has been interpreted as a protest against ICE. Reports suggest that Team GB considers this a personal opinion by the athlete and not directly related to the team's official stance or activities within the Games.
Athlete Performance and Early Victories
The first full day of competition saw athletes from various nations achieve significant milestones. Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen claimed the first gold medal in the men's downhill skiing. In women's skiathlon, Sweden's Frida Karlsson secured the gold medal.
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Curling Progression: The Team GB mixed doubles curling pair, Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds, maintained a perfect record, defeating teams from Canada and the USA to reach the semi-finals.
Freeskiing: Kirsty Muir, a medal hope for Team GB in freeski slopestyle, advanced to the final, scheduled for Monday.
Speed Skating: Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida set a new Olympic record in the women's 3,000m speed skating event, also winning a gold medal.
Ski Jumping: Anna Odine Stroem of Norway won gold in the women's normal hill ski jumping, ahead of Nika Prevc from Slovenia.
Nature of Milan Protests
Demonstrations in Milan specifically targeted the involvement of a division of the US ICE agency in the security framework for the Winter Olympics. These protests, which occurred near the Piazza XXV Aprile, drew participation from various groups, including members of the left-leaning Democratic Party, the CGIL trade union confederation, and ANPI, an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of Italy's partisan resistance during World War II.
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Local Opposition: Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala had previously stated that the ICE unit was "not welcome."
Context of Protest: The demonstrators expressed opposition to the presence of agents from a division of ICE, citing concerns about what they perceived as "creeping fascism" within the United States. It has been noted that the ICE agents deployed for the Olympics are from a different unit than those involved in immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota and other US cities.
Athlete's Stance and Team GB's Position
The social media post by Team GB skier Gus Kenworthy has added another layer to the public discourse surrounding the Games. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not regulate personal social media posts, the athlete's message has drawn attention.
Kenworthy's Statement: Kenworthy reportedly launched a critique against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), referencing alleged brutality against US citizens.
Team GB's Response: According to reports, Team GB is reportedly not concerned about the post, viewing it as a personal expression on a matter outside the scope of the Olympic Games and one that does not formally involve Team GB.
Broader Backlash and Olympic Context
The protests in Milan and Kenworthy's social media activity are part of a wider reaction against the deployment of ICE agents for the Winter Olympics. Similar protests occurred in Minneapolis following incidents involving US federal agents. The decision to involve ICE in Olympic security, even if limited to the US delegation, has sparked significant criticism in both Italy and the United States.
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"Demonstrators in Milan protest ICE unit at Winter Olympics." - Associated Press, January 31, 2026
"The IOC does not regulate personal social media posts.” - Independent, referring to Gus Kenworthy's post.
Expert Analysis
The confluence of athletic achievement and public protest at the Milan-Cortina Games highlights the increasing intersection of sports with broader political and social issues.
"The Olympic Games have always been a stage where global issues can surface," stated a commentator on sports and society. "The visibility provided by the Games means that actions and policies far from the competition venue can attract international attention."
Regarding the protests, a political analyst noted, "The groups protesting in Milan are drawing parallels between current US immigration policies and historical movements against fascism. This indicates a deep concern about civil liberties and human rights, which they feel are being compromised."
Conclusion and Implications
The initial days of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have presented a complex narrative, blending athletic triumphs with civic unrest and individual expressions of dissent. The success of athletes, particularly Team GB's performance in curling, provides a traditional Olympic highlight. Simultaneously, the protests in Milan concerning ICE involvement and Gus Kenworthy's social media post underscore the ongoing global conversations about immigration, civil rights, and political stances.
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The deployment of police measures during the Milan demonstrations and the official stance of Team GB on Kenworthy's post suggest a careful navigation of these sensitive issues by the organizing bodies and national committees. The continued visibility of these protests and individual athlete statements may influence public perception and discussions surrounding the Games as they progress.
Sources Used:
Express.co.uk: Provides live updates on the Winter Olympics, mentioning Team GB's ban (though the report does not specify what ban, only their curling success and Milan protests) and clashes in Milan.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2168176/winter-olympics-live-team-gb
BBC Sport: Offers a recap of Day 1, detailing medal winners and the Team GB mixed doubles curling team's progression.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/live/c0keyj1l482t
The Independent: Reports on Team GB skier Gus Kenworthy's social media post protesting against ICE, and notes Team GB's lack of concern over the personal post.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/gus-kenworthy-ice-protest-winter-olympics-team-gb-b2915468.html
Associated Press (AP News): Covers the protests in Milan specifically against the ICE unit's role at the Winter Olympics, quoting Milan's mayor.
https://apnews.com/article/ice-milan-cortina-olympics-immigration-enforcement-0cf0308828bd0ae672e1c81b0ba33d5f
Al Jazeera: Also covers the Milan protests, focusing on the denouncement of the "creeping fascism" associated with ICE's role. (While the content extraction was marked low priority, the source title indicates relevance.)
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/1/31/milan-demonstrators-decry-creeping-fascism-of-ice-role-at-winter-olympics
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