MILAN — As the Winter Olympics open in Milan, several American athletes — including stars from Minnesota — have publicly criticized the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement after the January shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis.
Three-time Olympic medalist Jessie Diggins, who grew up in Afton, Minn., posted on Instagram that when she races at the Games she is “racing for an American people who stand for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty and respect for others. I do not stand for hate or violence or discrimination.” Diggins, 34, is expected to compete in six cross-country events and is a medal contender in many.
The day after 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot to death by Customs and Border Protection agents on a Minneapolis street, Team USA hockey player Kelly Pannek — during a postgame press conference for her professional team, the Minnesota Frost — called the enforcement “unnecessary and just horrifying.” Pannek, from Plymouth, paused as teammate and fellow Minnesota native Taylor Heise nodded, saying she was proud to represent people who show up to fight for what they believe in.
Other Winter Olympians have also weighed in. Snowboarder Stacy Gaskill of Denver and 19-year-old Bea Kim of Palos Verdes, Calif., posted messages about unity and diversity, with Kim saying the Olympics represent “global unity and peace” and noting that diversity is woven into the fabric of the United States.
The athletes’ statements add to a wider chorus of sports figures speaking out. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, a member of Team USA’s 2024 Olympic gold medal squad, posted that Pretti “was murdered.” Three-time Olympic gold medalist Breanna Stewart held a sign reading “Abolish ICE” at an Unrivaled 3-on-3 league game and said in a press conference that human lives are more important than anything else.
At the Milan Games, a hospitality space for Team USA friends and family changed its name over the weekend to remove the word “ice.” U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speed Skating said the newly named “Winter House” better reflects the private, distraction-free purpose of the space and connects to the season and event.