American Faces Hostility From Fellow Citizen at Milan Olympics

An American attendee at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan recounts an unpleasant encounter with a fellow American who berated her for wearing a mask.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:33pm

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A Boston-area author attending the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan was subjected to profanity and personal insults from an American woman sitting next to her at an Olympic event. The woman became enraged when she saw the author wearing a face mask, accusing her of only doing so because of the woman's presence. The author explained she was wearing the mask to protect herself and her son, who has cancer, but the woman refused to believe her. The incident left the author feeling dismayed that such divisiveness and hostility had followed her from the United States to the international event.

Why it matters

The story highlights the growing political and social divisions within the United States that have led to increased acrimony and conflict between citizens, even in settings meant to bring people together. It also underscores concerns about how Americans may be perceived and treated abroad due to the actions of their political leaders.

The details

While attending a pairs figure skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the author encountered an American woman sitting next to her who began cursing, pointing her middle finger, and verbally attacking the author. The woman became enraged when she saw the author wearing a face mask, accusing her of only doing so because of the woman's presence. The author explained she was wearing the mask to protect herself and her son, who has cancer, but the woman refused to believe her. The woman then unleashed a torrent of profane personal insults against the author.

  • The incident occurred during a break between groups performing their routines at the pairs figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
  • The author had consulted with her son's medical team before the trip and was advised to wear a mask on planes, public transportation, and in crowded venues.

The players

Meredith O'Brien

A Boston-area author attending the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan to witness the pairs figure skating competition.

The American woman

A fellow American attendee at the Olympic event who became enraged when she saw O'Brien wearing a face mask.

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What they’re saying

“What is wrong?”

— Meredith O'Brien (huffpost.com)

“Fine, I'll go.”

— Meredith O'Brien (huffpost.com)

“This is a photo I took of the Jumbotron when the Polish ice skating pairs team was waiting in the kiss-and-cry area and a skater held the stuffed pierogi aloft,”

— Meredith O'Brien (huffpost.com)

What’s next

The author plans to keep the stuffed pierogi plushie she ordered as a reminder of the joy she experienced at the Olympic events, despite the unpleasant encounter with the American woman.

The takeaway

The story highlights the growing divisions and acrimony within the United States that have led to increased conflict between citizens, even in international settings meant to bring people together. It underscores concerns about how Americans may be perceived and treated abroad due to the actions of their political leaders, and the author's hope that joy and unity can one day feel less rare in the American experience.