Here’s what Americans need to know.
Speculation is growing ahead of Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony after the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) publicly urged spectators to behave respectfully when American athletes and U.S. officials are introduced.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry addressed reporters on Wednesday, saying she hopes the ceremony will be viewed as “an opportunity to be respectful of each other,” when asked about the possibility of booing or jeering directed at the American delegation.
The remarks come as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepare to lead the official U.S. delegation at the opening ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Much of the event will take place inside Milan’s historic San Siro stadium, one of Europe’s most recognizable sports venues.
Political Tensions Loom Over the Games
The Olympic Games are opening amid heightened international tensions involving the United States. In Europe, criticism has mounted over President Donald Trump’s foreign policy positions, including renewed discussions surrounding Greenland. At the same time, global media attention has focused on last month’s killing of two protesters opposing immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
U.S. officials have confirmed that these issues are contributing to a charged atmosphere as the Games begin.
ICE Presence Sparks Local Backlash
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division will be present in Milan to assist with Olympic-related security coordination.
That announcement prompted backlash from Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, a member of the European Green Party, who sharply criticized ICE during a January 27 radio interview. Sala accused the agency of operating without proper oversight and said its personnel were not welcome in the city.
His remarks quickly drew attention amid broader European criticism of U.S. immigration enforcement policies under President Trump.
U.S. Embassy Moves to Defuse the Dispute
In response, U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertita sought to calm Italian officials and local leaders. According to a statement released by Italy’s Interior Ministry, ICE personnel will largely remain inside the U.S. consulate, where they will focus on database coordination and intelligence consultation rather than conducting field operations.
The clarification appeared aimed at easing concerns while maintaining security cooperation for the Games.
A New IOC Era — With Eyes on Los Angeles
The Milan–Cortina Olympics mark the first Games overseen by Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer and seven-time medalist who assumed leadership of the IOC last year after Thomas Bach stepped down.
Coventry, 42, has not yet met President Trump, 79, even as preparations accelerate for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles — an event expected to place U.S. leadership, national politics, and the Olympic movement under intense global scrutiny.
As tensions rise overseas and America prepares to host the world once again, questions remain over how politics, public reaction, and international pressure could shape the Olympic stage in the years ahead.
