Olympic Skier Gus Kenworthy Posts Graphic Anti-ICE Message in Snow

The British-American athlete urged Americans to pressure senators to vote against DHS funding negotiations.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Gus Kenworthy, a British-American Olympic skier set to compete for Great Britain in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, posted a graphic anti-ICE message on his social media showing the words 'f--k ICE' written in what appeared to be urine on snow. Kenworthy urged Americans to call their senators to pressure them into voting against Department of Homeland Security funding negotiations, saying 'Innocent people have been murdered, and enough is enough.'

Why it matters

Kenworthy's message comes amid ongoing controversy over ICE's operations in the U.S., including recent incidents in Minnesota that have prompted outrage and protests. As an Olympic athlete, Kenworthy's political statement is drawing attention to the issue and sparking debate around free speech and athlete expression during the Games.

The details

Kenworthy, who was born in Great Britain but moved to Colorado as a child, represented the U.S. in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi but chose to compete for Great Britain in 2019. His graphic anti-ICE post on Instagram showed the words 'f--k ICE' written in what appeared to be urine on snow, and he called on Americans to pressure their senators to vote against DHS funding negotiations.

  • The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics are set to begin on Friday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Gus Kenworthy

A British-American Olympic skier who is set to compete for Great Britain in freestyle skiing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

The international governing body of the Olympic Games that stated Kenworthy would not be punished for his political viewpoint, as athletes have the opportunity to express their views during the Olympics.

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What’s next

The IOC has indicated that Kenworthy will not face any punishment for his political statement, as athletes are allowed to express their views during the Olympics. However, his message is likely to continue sparking debate and discussion around the role of politics in sports.

The takeaway

Kenworthy's graphic anti-ICE message on social media demonstrates how Olympic athletes are using their platforms to draw attention to political and social issues, even if it means making controversial statements. This highlights the ongoing tension between sports and politics, and the evolving norms around athlete expression during the Games.