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JD Vance was booed at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Milan as the IOC called for fair play while praising US administration engagement with the Games
JD Vance was booed(Image: Getty)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has responded to the booing of US vice-president JD Vance at Friday night’s Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, urging “fair play” and lauding its relationship with the American administration.
Vance, who led the US delegation, was caught on camera as the US team made their entrance into the San Siro. The cheers for the athletes quickly turned into boos in an uncomfortable moment in Italy.
When asked about the incident during a press conference on Saturday, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said: “What I would say from the IOC point of view is with the next Games coming up in Los Angeles we are super happy that the US administration is so engaged with the Games here and going forward. That’s a great thing for the Olympic movement.
“We are largely a sports organisation and seeing the US team cheered as they were by the audience, fair play, that was fantastic, so very happy.
“In general at sporting events we like to see fair play, but in terms of having a good relationship with the administration, that’s good news for us.”
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Andrea Varnier, chief executive of Milano-Cortina 2026, sidestepped a further question regarding Italian perceptions of the US administration.
He stated: “I was there, I heard an incredible cheering when the US team entered the stadium, that’s what I heard. I didn’t hear anything else, I just read in the papers. The cheering was amazing.”
The IOC also called for respectful conduct from all spectators when questioned about the booing directed at Israeli athletes. Adams commented: “In terms of the athletes and the teams, whatever background, whatever country they’re from, I don’t think we like to see booing, we want to see sportsperson-like behaviour from everyone. It’s important that we support our athletes.
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“The whole idea, or one of the ideas of the Olympic Movement is that the athletes shouldn’t be punished for whatever their governments have done, and I think that’s really important, that we see the athletes and athletic performance for what that says about humanity.
“I know the Italian supporters love their sport, I think when they start seeing amazing performances, whatever nationality, they will cheer those performances.”
Vance touched down in Milan on Thursday to meet American competitors and was seen watching the US women’s ice hockey match against Czechia. The vice president also held talks with IOC president Kirsty Coventry ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
Adams offered some details about that encounter. “I know it went incredibly well, there was very good chemistry, they had a very good discussion,” he revealed.
“I know speaking to the president this morning she was very pleased [with the conversation] and very pleased about the enthusiasm from the president and the whole administration for the Games.”
Watch Winter Olympics 2026 live on discovery+
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games is running from February 6-22 and fans can enjoy more than 850 hours of action live on discovery+ via Prime Video.
Throughout the games, the £3.99 discovery+ Entertainment subscription will provide access to TNT Sports 2, the home of 24/7 Olympic coverage.
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