Team GB skier Gus Kenworthy receives ‘insane’ demise threats over anti-ICE photograph
A Team GB athlete who is currently at the Winter Olympics has been on the receiving end of death threats after an Instagram post protesting US immigration agency ICE
Gus Kenworthy has received death threats(Image: Getty Images)
A Team GB Winter Olympian has suffered death threats after he risked the wrath of Donald Trump with a post protesting ICE on social media.
Gus Kenworthy, who was born in the UK but grew up in the USA, caused controversy last week with an Instagram post where he had appeared to urinate in the snow, leaving the message “f*** ICE” – protesting against the United States’ controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The US immigration agency has been criticised for its use of violence and fatal shootings. And in a new video, Kenworthy has opened up about the backlash to the message, including receiving death threats: “The other day I posted a photo with my thoughts on ICE and that photo has since gone everywhere.
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“And I’ve gotten a ton of messages and most of them honestly have been supportive and encouraging.
“But a lot of the messages have been awful, people telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing they’ll get to see me blow my knee or break my neck during my event, calling me slurs… it’s insane.”
The British Olympic Association (BOA) and IOC said Kenworthy would not be punished for his post on Instagram.
Protests have taken place across the USA following the deaths of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, 37, and Renee Good, 37, who were both killed by ICE agents in Minnesota in January.
Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess, who are in Italy with Team USA, have also spoken out about ICE.
Lillis said he was “heartbroken” and wants to country to “respect everybody’s rights”, while treating all citizens with “love and respect”.
While Hess said: “It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.
“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.”
Kenworthy represented Team USA, winning silver at the 2014 games in Sochi. However, he has since switched allegiances to Team GB. His games will get underway on February 19 in the men’s snowboard halfpipe.
