British-American Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy, who is set to compete for Great Britain at the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, has sparked controversy after posting a graphic anti-ICE message written in snow on social media.
The incident happened this week, just as the Olympics opening ceremonies were due to begin in Italy, and it has already triggered major debate around athlete behaviour, political activism, and what is acceptable during the Games.
Kenworthy’s post matters because he is a high-profile Team GB athlete, and his message directly targeted US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a major American government agency.
What did Gus Kenworthy post on social media?
Kenworthy shared an image on Instagram showing the words “fk ICE”** written in snow.
British-American Olympic Skier Gus Kenworthy urinates “f*ck ice” into the snow ahead of the Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
The skier then told all his followers to “speak up against ICE” and gave them a script to tell their senators.
Kenworthy is competing for Team… pic.twitter.com/g9OiQWkeHq
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 6, 2026
Reports suggest the message appeared to be written using urine, which added to the shock value and public backlash online.
Alongside the image, he posted a strongly worded caption calling on Americans to contact their senators and pressure them into voting against funding negotiations linked to the US Department of Homeland Security.
Kenworthy also accused ICE of acting with “unchecked power” and claimed innocent people had died as a result of its operations.
Why is Gus Kenworthy protesting ICE?
Kenworthy’s post comes amid rising anger in parts of the United States over immigration enforcement activity, including reports of deaths and controversial operations linked to ICE.
He referred to cases where individuals were reportedly killed, suggesting the agency’s actions have become too aggressive and unaccountable.
His message called for major reforms, including:
- limits on warrantless arrests
- restrictions on profiling
- protection for sensitive areas such as schools and hospitals
- tighter controls on immigration enforcement
While Kenworthy did not provide detailed evidence in his post, his comments reflect a growing political divide in the US over border policy and immigration policing.
Will the International Olympic Committee punish Gus Kenworthy?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reportedly confirmed that Kenworthy will not face punishment for his political post.
According to the IOC’s stance, athletes may express views under existing athlete expression guidelines, and the committee does not regulate what individuals publish on their personal social media accounts.
This decision is likely to fuel further debate, especially as Olympic rules traditionally discourage political messaging during the Games.
Why does this matter to Team GB and UK audiences?
Even though the protest focused on American immigration enforcement, Kenworthy now competes under the Great Britain flag, meaning UK viewers and Team GB officials are inevitably drawn into the discussion.
The controversy also follows other Olympic-related tension linked to ICE protests, including reports that the US delegation renamed its base venue in Milan amid public pressure, a move covered in a separate report on the US Olympic team renaming its Ice House:
1. Team GB reputation
As a British representative, Kenworthy’s actions may influence how international audiences view Team GB athletes.
2. Politics entering sport
Many UK sports fans feel politics should stay out of major competitions, while others believe athletes should speak out on issues they care about.
3. Olympic platform influence
The Olympics remain one of the world’s biggest sporting stages, and any political message, especially a graphic one, spreads quickly.
Who is Gus Kenworthy, and why is he a major Olympic name?
Gus Kenworthy is a well-known freestyle skier who first gained international attention after competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Although he previously represented the United States, he later switched to represent Great Britain in 2019.
Kenworthy was born in the UK but moved to the US as a child. His dual nationality made him eligible to compete for Team GB.
He has also built a reputation for being outspoken on political and social issues, making him one of the more public-facing athletes in modern winter sports.
Could this create problems for Olympic organizers in Italy?
The incident comes at a sensitive time, with Olympic hosts under pressure to keep events focused on sport rather than political conflict.
There have already been concerns in Italy over security and international tensions, and organizers will likely want to avoid further controversy.
Kenworthy’s post may also raise fresh questions about whether athletes should face stricter online restrictions during the Games, even if posts occur outside official venues.
