‘I’ve never felt so supported in my entire life,’ says Embyr-Lee Susko, who is competing at the Milan Cortina Olympics in luge.Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters
When United States President Donald Trump attacked skier Hunter Hess, calling him a “real loser” for saying he has mixed emotions about representing the U.S. given the political turmoil engulfing America, it sent ripples through the athletes village at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
It showed how divided the U.S. has become, how American athletes aren’t safe from a broadside when they disagree with the President’s views, and how politics – particularly those emanating from America these days − have infiltrated these Winter Games from the start.
For Canadian athletes, it was difficult to watch.
It was a reminder that the Olympics aren’t solely about sport; they aren’t always a feel-good story; and they can easily devolve into an ugly microcosm of world events.
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And for a number of athletes wearing the Maple Leaf, it was a moment that hit home: Medals or not, at this Olympics, it’s good to be Canadian.
Several of them told The Globe and Mail they appreciate the red Canadian tracksuit just a little more after the events of the past week.
“It’s difficult to see,” Erin Ambrose, a Canadian hockey player from Keswick, Ont., said about the controversy.
“But at the same time I could not be more proud to be Canadian.”
Erin Ambrose #23 of Team Canada in action against U.S. at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic in Milan on Tuesday.Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
That extends to Canadian athletes being recognized around the Olympics.
“It’s actually so cool to be Canadian. Like, I’ve never felt so supported in my entire life,” said Embyr-Lee Susko, from Vancouver, who competes in luge.
“So many people I don’t even know are just so stoked for Canada right now.”
Freestyle skier Naomi Urness said she felt for Mr. Hess and what he’s going through.
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She then invoked her Canadian uniform as a particular point of pride.
“I am proud to be wearing this suit and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” said Ms. Urness, who lives in Mont-Tremblant, Que.
Federal MP and former Olympian Adam van Koeverden, who is representing the Canadian government at the Milan Cortina Games, said he was taken aback by the attack on Mr. Hess.
“Hunter Hess is a champion. He knows how to win, and he knows how to respect people. He values the right things and you can see very clearly that he saw no reason to stoop when someone punches down,” Mr. van Koeverden said.
“He has my full respect.”
Federal MP and former Olympian Adam van Koeverden waves to the crowd before the ceremonial puck drop, in recognition of his achievements as an Olympian, at the PWHL game between the Ottawa Charge and the Seattle Torrent in Ottawa on Jan. 28.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Reached by phone as he was driving through the mountains near Cortina, Mr. van Koeverden said he could not help but think of his mother’s family, who fled oppression in Hungary 70 years ago, and escaped to Canada via Italy.
At a time when the Canadian government has been forced to question its relationship with the U.S., its closest neighbour and ally, as Prime Minister Mark Carney called on the world to do the same in Davos last month, the role Italy played for Mr. van Koeverden’s family is something he’s not forgotten.
“Italy was a good neighbour to them,” he said.
As he makes his way around the Winter Games, Mr. van Koeverden said he’s seen a corresponding upswell in open and vocal support for Canada – not just from fans and athletes, but from political representatives who are also in attendance.
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“I’ve spoken to three or four other sport ministers from different countries, and a couple of national Olympic committee presidents from countries that are not Canada, that recently have expressed solidarity with Canada or told me how proud they were of our Prime Minister’s speech at Davos,” he said.
“Canada is standing up for what we all collectively believe in,” Mr. van Koeverden said.
Expressions of national pride at an Olympics can sometimes be written off as platitudes. But this Olympics is different.
“I just feel proud, really proud,” said Trinity Ellis, who is from Pemberton, B.C., and is competing in luge.
“It’s an honour to represent Canada. It’s pretty special.”
Though politics and world events always permeate the Olympics, she remains an optimist.
“I think sport is such a uniting thing,” Ms. Ellis said. “I hope that the Olympics can do that in this time − which is a bit fraught politically.”
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