MILAN — As the Winter Olympics begin in Milan, a number of American athletes, including several with Minnesota ties, have publicly criticized the federal government’s aggressive immigration enforcement following 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 she competes for Americans who value love, acceptance, compassion and respect, and said she does not stand for hate, violence or discrimination. Diggins, 34, is entered in six cross-country events and is considered a medal contender in multiple races.
The day after 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Customs and Border Protection agents on a Minneapolis street, Team USA and Minnesota Frost hockey player Kelly Pannek denounced the enforcement as unnecessary and horrifying during a postgame press conference. Plymouth native Taylor Heise, a teammate and fellow Minnesotan, nodded in agreement and said she was proud to represent people who show up to fight for what they believe in.
Other Winter Olympians also spoke about unity and inclusion. Snowboarder Stacy Gaskill of Denver and 19-year-old Bea Kim of Palos Verdes, Calif., posted messages emphasizing diversity and the Games’ role in promoting global unity and peace.
The athletes’ remarks join a wider chorus of sports figures reacting to the shootings. Indiana Pacers guard and 2024 Olympic gold medalist Tyrese Haliburton called Pretti’s death murder in social posts, and three-time Olympic gold medalist Breanna Stewart held an ‘Abolish ICE’ sign at an Unrivaled 3-on-3 league game, saying human lives matter above all.
At the Milan Games, a Team USA hospitality space removed the word ‘ice’ from its name over the weekend and is now called the Winter House. U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speed Skating said the new name better reflects the private, distraction-free purpose of the space and ties to the season and event.