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Loud Jeering at Israeli, US delegations Erupt 2026 Winter Olympics
(MENAFN) The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday was disrupted by loud jeering from spectators as the delegations representing the United States and Israel made their entrance into San Siro stadium.
The US team was headed by Vice President JD Vance alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. When Vance appeared on the large screens inside the venue and waved the American flag, the audience reacted with audible boos, according to live event coverage.
“There is the Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha. Oops -- those are a lot of boos for him,” an announcer was heard saying during the broadcast.
The negative reaction came after several days of controversy linked to the role of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in providing Olympic security. Reports indicate that the presence of Homeland Security Investigations personnel in Milan sparked strong opposition from Italian officials and members of the public.
Italy’s interior authorities confirmed that US security personnel were operating in the city, triggering protests and criticism from lawmakers and residents. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala voiced strong opposition in a radio interview, saying:
“They’re not welcome in Milan,”
and referring to ICE as a “militia that kills.”
Public anger escalated last weekend when thousands of demonstrators gathered in Piazza 25 Aprile to protest the agents’ involvement and express fears over potential civil liberties violations.
Ahead of the ceremony, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry addressed the controversy and urged restraint, stating:
“I hope that the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as an opportunity to be respectful of each other.”
The Israeli delegation, made up of nine Olympic athletes and one Paralympian, also encountered a limited number of boos as they entered the stadium. However, the reaction was relatively muted and largely obscured by the music playing during the procession.
The US team was headed by Vice President JD Vance alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. When Vance appeared on the large screens inside the venue and waved the American flag, the audience reacted with audible boos, according to live event coverage.
“There is the Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha. Oops -- those are a lot of boos for him,” an announcer was heard saying during the broadcast.
The negative reaction came after several days of controversy linked to the role of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in providing Olympic security. Reports indicate that the presence of Homeland Security Investigations personnel in Milan sparked strong opposition from Italian officials and members of the public.
Italy’s interior authorities confirmed that US security personnel were operating in the city, triggering protests and criticism from lawmakers and residents. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala voiced strong opposition in a radio interview, saying:
“They’re not welcome in Milan,”
and referring to ICE as a “militia that kills.”
Public anger escalated last weekend when thousands of demonstrators gathered in Piazza 25 Aprile to protest the agents’ involvement and express fears over potential civil liberties violations.
Ahead of the ceremony, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry addressed the controversy and urged restraint, stating:
“I hope that the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as an opportunity to be respectful of each other.”
The Israeli delegation, made up of nine Olympic athletes and one Paralympian, also encountered a limited number of boos as they entered the stadium. However, the reaction was relatively muted and largely obscured by the music playing during the procession.
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