Political Tensions and Protests Echo Through Festive Winter Olympics Launch in MilanThe Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony was designed as a celebratory launch to the global sporting festival, but political tensions were audible as well as visible. During the parade of nations at San Siro stadium in Milan, the Israeli Olympic team was met with a smattering of boos from segments of the crowd, and later U.S. Vice President JD Vance drew a chilly reception when he appeared on the big screen.
Israeli athletes, a small delegation of four marching in the city’s iconic stadium, waved their flag and smiled as the soundtrack drowned out the brief negative reactions. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the co-host venues for the Games, the reception was warmer, with applause greeting Israeli competitors during the simultaneous festivities.
The reactions in Milan underscored the broader political climate surrounding the Games. Earlier on Friday, hundreds of protesters took to the streets under the banner “ICE OUT”, expressing opposition to U.S. immigration enforcement policies and the reported involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. Those demonstrations also targeted the presence of U.S. officials including Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose appearance on the stadium screen was met with a mix of cheers and boos.
Ahead of the ceremony, Israeli athletes had braced for the possibility of adverse reactions. The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to fuel global debate and protest, and some Milan observers linked the mixed reception to those tensions, though the overall atmosphere at the ceremony remained largely upbeat and festive, featuring performances by artists such as Mariah Carey and tributes to Italian culture.
In addition to political demonstrations, the ceremony marked the first Winter Olympics opening under the dual-venue format, with events taking place simultaneously in Milan and mountain locations like Cortina and Predazzo. While the Israeli team encountered boos in Milan and Predazzo, the broader parade highlighted a diverse array of nations and drew strong support for teams such as Ukraine.
The dual nature of the reception, festive celebration mixed with political expression, reflects how major international sporting events can intersect with global geopolitical currents, even as athletes prepare to compete on the world stage.
PH. Mariia Seniuk, flag bearer of Israel, walks during the Olympic opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, February 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)