Olympics are Political: Athletes Have a Moral Right to Speak Out
At the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, several American athletes have found themselves at odds with their government, drawing criticism for voicing their opinions on U.S. policies. Freestyle skier Hunter Hess expressed mixed emotions about representing the U.S., leading to a strong rebuke from President Trump. Similarly, curler Rich Ruohonen criticized federal law enforcement actions, and snowboarder Chloe Kim defended her teammates’ right to express themselves, highlighting the complex intersection of sports and politics. This has ignited a debate about national representation and whether athletes should remain apolitical or use their platform to address social issues, with conservative figures like Megyn Kelly and Vice President Vance calling for athletes to focus solely on competition. The article argues that sports have historically been intertwined with politics, citing examples from Peter O’Connor’s protest in 1906 to Tommie Smith and John Carlos’s raised fists in 1968, demonstrating that athletes have long used the Olympic stage to make statements about national and international issues. The piece emphasizes that American Olympians, particularly those with immigrant backgrounds, carry the responsibility of confronting the disconnect between the nation’s ideals and its reality, making their participation more than just an athletic endeavor but a symbolic representation of the country.
John Q. Hosedrinker