- Hunter Hess and Chris Lillis, freestyle skiiers for Team USA, admitted that they both have complicated feelings about representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Hunter says he doesn't represent “everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” while Chris said he feels “heartbroken” to see tensions rising in the country.
- The athletes’ comments come amid the recent violent ICE raids in Minneapolis.
Amber Glenn isn't the only Team USA athlete at the 2026 Winter Olympics that is sharing their feelings about rising tensions in the United States—freestyle skiiers Hunter Hess and Chris Lillis are also talking politics at this year's Olympic Games, and revealed that they have been struggling with representing the country this year amid the violent ICE raids in Minneapolis, which has led to the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
In a February 6 press conference ahead of the Opening Ceremony, Hunter admitted that “it brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now” in what should be a crowning achievement in his sports career.
“It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of,” he added. “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
In the same press conference, Chris added that seeing what has happened in the U.S. has been breaking his heart.
“I feel heartbroken when it comes to what’s happening in the United States,” he said. “I think as a country we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens, as well as everybody, with love and respect. And I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that that’s the America we’re trying to represent.”
Hunter and Chris’ comments came just hours before Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, were booed when they were shown on screen during the Opening Ceremony.
Despite the political climate in the United States, Chris explained that he “love[s] the USA and I think I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics. With that being said, a lot of times athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things.”
