The International Olympic Committee has confirmed British freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy will face no disciplinary action despite rules prohibiting political demonstrations at the Games, following his controversial protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement that sparked homophobic abuse and death threats.
Kenworthy, who won Olympic silver for the United States in 2014 before switching to represent Team GB seven years ago, addressed the fierce backlash in a video message after photographing himself urinating the words “f*** ICE” into snow and sharing the image on social media last week.
The openly gay athlete revealed he had received messages telling him to kill himself, threatening violence, and expressing wishes to see him seriously injured during his event. “People telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing that they’ll get to see me blow my knee or break my neck during my event, calling me slurs. It’s insane,” he stated.
Kenworthy shared screenshots of homophobic messages sent to him following the protest. He acknowledged this might be “the price you pay for speaking up” but maintained his position, stating: “I think it’s important to say what we feel and stand up for what we believe in and stand up to injustice.”
The skier also disclosed through Instagram that he had participated in booing directed at US Vice President JD Vance during the opening ceremony on Friday. His video message noted that whilst the majority of responses had been supportive, with people thanking him for using his platform, many others proved deeply disturbing.
Kenworthy justified his protest by describing ICE as “absolutely evil” following two deaths in Minneapolis. “There have been US citizens that have been murdered in the street, executed in the street. And the officers are essentially acting with like impunity because their identities are covered,” he stated.
The athlete accused the agency of targeting people based on race, detaining individuals in unmarked vehicles without warrants or probable cause, and denying them due process. He emphasized that patriotism and criticism of government policy are not mutually exclusive, stating: “You can love the US and be proud to be an American. I am. And still think it can be better.”
Kenworthy argued most people being targeted are law-abiding individuals seeking better opportunities, which he described as the foundational American story.
His protest forms part of a broader wave of athlete activism at the Games. American freestyle skier Hunter Hess, 27, expressed ambivalence about representing his country, saying: “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.”
President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, branding Hess a “loser” and suggesting he should not compete for America if he opposes the administration. The President’s intervention highlighted tensions between athletes using their platforms for political expression and government expectations of representatives.
Two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin also contributed to the discourse, invoking Nelson Mandela to express hope that people might flourish regardless of race, religion, gender or other social distinctions.
Kenworthy praised both Hess and Shiffrin for their willingness to speak out, calling their actions “inspiring and important.” He stated that watching fellow athletes voice their concerns had made him proud.
The IOC’s decision not to pursue disciplinary action against Kenworthy comes despite rules prohibiting political demonstrations at Olympic venues and events. The organization has not issued a public statement explaining why no sanctions will be imposed.
Kenworthy continues to compete at the Games representing Great Britain, having switched allegiance from the United States in 2019. His 2014 silver medal came whilst competing for Team USA in Sochi.
