Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy lit a political fuse just days before the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, posting a graphic anti-ICE message on social media as the Olympics kicked off in Italy.
Kenworthy, a British-American freestyle skier set to compete for Great Britain, shared an Instagram photo this week showing the words “f–k ICE” written in snow, which he later revealed was urine.
He urged Americans to contact their senators and oppose Department of Homeland Security funding tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Kenworthy posted a photo on his Instagram that showed the words “f–k ICE” on snow in what appeared to be urine. Instagram/Gus Kenworthy“Innocent people have been murdered, and enough is enough,” Kenworthy wrote in the caption. “We can’t wait around while ICE continues to operate with unchecked power in our communities.”
He went on to call for lawmakers to “demand real guardrails and accountability,” including removing ICE and Border Patrol from communities, cutting off what he described as “blank-check funding for brutality” and limiting enforcement actions at schools and hospitals.
Despite the crude display, Olympic officials said Kenworthy will not face discipline.
“During the Olympic Games, all participants have the opportunity to express their views as per the athlete expression guidelines,” the International Olympic Committee told the Press Association. “The IOC does not regulate personal social media posts.”
British Olympic Association chief Dame Katherine Grainger echoed that stance but said the skier should not lose focus ahead of competition.
“The important thing is not to be disruptive to themselves,” Grainger said at a briefing Saturday. “It comes down to performance, that’s the job you’re here to do and not distract anyone or yourself.”
Gus Kenworthy at the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Final at the Toyota US Grand Prix 2025 at Copper Mountain in Colorado on Dec. 20, 2025. Getty ImagesKenworthy’s post landed as controversy grew over ICE’s presence at the Games, after United States officials confirmed ICE agents would assist with American security operations in Milan.
The move drew protests and criticism from Italian officials, with demonstrations unfolding in the days before the opening ceremony.
The backlash has already prompted changes, with U.S. Olympic officials renaming a Team USA hospitality venue from the “Ice House” to the “Winter House.”
Gus Kenworthy competes in the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Final in Colorado. Getty Images
Gus Kenworthy, then with Team USA, celebrates his silver medalist with gold medalist Joss Christensen and bronze medalist Nicholas Goepper after the Freestyle Skiing Men’s Ski Slopestyle Finals on February 13, 2014 in Sochi. Getty ImagesU.S. Vice President JD Vance attended Friday night’s opening ceremony at San Siro Stadium, where he and his wife, Usha, were booed when shown on the big screens.
Kenworthy was born in Chelmsford, England, and raised largely in Colorado.
He won silver in ski slopestyle at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi while representing the US, along with five medals at the X Games.
He began representing Great Britain in 2019 and competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where he also voiced criticism of China’s human rights record and its treatment of LGBT people.
Kenworthy is scheduled to compete in the men’s halfpipe event in Livigno, with qualifying beginning Feb. 19.
