Three US Olympic our bodies have changed the identify of their shared athlete hospitality space on the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics from “Ice House” to “Winter House,” following widespread protests in each Italy and the US over the position and conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brokers.
The information was first reported by USA Today.
US Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating banded collectively to create a “hospitality house” for “Olympians, their families and valued partners” at a lodge in Milan for the Winter Olympics, in accordance to an announcement launched in September. At the time, the space was dubbed “Ice House.”
But within the intervening months, ICE has turn into a byword for US President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration crackdown and its heavy-handed enforcement techniques, which resulted in federal immigration brokers fatally taking pictures two US residents – Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti – in Minneapolis final month.
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US Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating confirmed the identify change to NCS on Tuesday, saying that “our hospitality concept was designed to be a private space free of distractions where athletes, their families, and friends can come together to celebrate the unique experience of the Winter Games.”
“This name captures that vision and connects to the season and the event,” they added in a joint assertion. NCS has additionally contacted the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee for remark.
Anti-ICE protests swept throughout the US final month, and so they spilled over into Italy too when US officers introduced that ICE brokers could be deployed to help American safety operations on the Winter Olympics.
While US officers stated that this was commonplace apply and clarified the company’s position, it prompted protests in Milan, petitions and opposition from present and former lawmakers.
This anti-ICE backlash has prolonged past the Winter Olympics, as some companies worldwide have started distancing themselves from the company.
American determine skater and medal hope Amber Glenn stated altering the identify of the hospitality space was “wise.”
“It’s unfortunate that the term ‘ice’ isn’t something we can embrace because of what’s happening and the implications of what some individuals are doing,” she instructed reporters, per Reuters, after apply in Milan on Monday.
“Unfortunately, in my own country, it is very upsetting and very distressing to see. And I can’t imagine how people who have been impacted by that directly feel. So I think it’s wise that we change something as minute as a name if it is able to make anyone feel more comfortable.”
The hospitality space will host medal celebrations, watch events, sponsored occasions and meet-and-greets with notable figures from determine skating, hockey and velocity skating.
And whereas it isn’t open to the general public, broadcaster NBC will characteristic the venue in its protection “offering fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse” into athletes’ life on the Games, in accordance to the September press launch.