US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Milan on Thursday for the Winter Olympics, emphasizing what he termed a unifying moment for Americans as 22 heads of state prepare to attend Friday’s opening ceremony. Vance, leading President Donald Trump’s delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics, expressed optimism about the event, stating that the competition “is one of the few things that unites the entire country.”
Addressing the US athletes competing at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, Vance highlighted the spirit of unity that transcends political differences, declaring that the entire nation—Democrats, Republicans, and independents—stands behind them. He planned to watch the US women’s hockey team compete against the Czech Republic in a preliminary game later on Thursday.
The US delegation, the largest among the competing nations, arrived on 14 aircraft carrying officials, intelligence personnel, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who were escorted to the Excelsior Hotel Gallia by Italian police. The presence of ICE agents stirred controversy, prompting US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta to clarify their role, noting they would be focused on transnational crime intelligence rather than enforcement operations.
At the opening ceremony on Friday, Vance will be joined by notable figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Fertitta, and former Olympic gold medalists such as hockey players Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, speed skater Apolo Ohno, and figure skater Evan Lysacek.
The ceremony at San Siro stadium, starting at 8 pm, is set to host a host of dignitaries, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European royals, as well as UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Preliminary events have already been underway, with Italy’s reigning Olympic champion mixed doubles curling team achieving a victory against South Korea. Concurrently, the opening matches for women’s ice hockey commenced, including a face-off between Italy and France.
The arrival of the Olympic torch in Milan marked another significant milestone, passing through key locations before heading towards the Arco della Pace, where it will conclude its journey just ahead of the opening ceremony. The Winter Olympics serve not only as a stage for athletic excellence but also as a moment of collective celebration and solidarity for a diverse nation.