US vice president JD Vance led a USA delegation at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony but was booed by the Italian crowd when pictured on screen in an awkward moment
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has responded to the booing of US vice-president JD Vance at Friday night’s Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, urging “fair play” and lauding its relationship with the American administration.
Vance, who led the US delegation, was caught on camera as the US team made their entrance into the San Siro. The cheers for the athletes quickly turned into boos, creating an uncomfortable moment in Italy.
When asked about the incident during a press conference on Saturday, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said: “What I would say from the IOC point of view is with the next Games coming up in Los Angeles we are super happy that the US administration is so engaged with the Games here and going forward. That’s a great thing for the Olympic movement.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
“We are largely a sports organisation and seeing the US team cheered as they were by the audience, fair play, that was fantastic, so very happy.
“In general at sporting events we like to see fair play, but in terms of having a good relationship with the administration, that’s good news for us.”
Andrea Varnier, chief executive of Milano-Cortina 2026, sidestepped a further question regarding Italian perceptions of the US administration.
He stated: “I was there, I heard an incredible cheering when the US team entered the stadium, that’s what I heard. I didn’t hear anything else, I just read in the papers. The cheering was amazing.”
The IOC also made an appeal for sporting conduct from all spectators when questioned about the response to the booing of Israeli athletes. Adams remarked: “In terms of the athletes and the teams, whatever background, whatever country they’re from, I don’t think we like to see booing, we want to see sportsperson-like behaviour from everyone. It’s important that we support our athletes.
“The whole idea, or one of the ideas of the Olympic Movement is that the athletes shouldn’t be punished for whatever their governments have done, and I think that’s really important, that we see the athletes and athletic performance for what that says about humanity.
“I know the Italian supporters love their sport, I think when they start seeing amazing performances, whatever nationality, they will cheer those performances.”
Vance touched down in Milan on Thursday to meet American athletes and was seen attending the US women’s ice hockey encounter against Czechia. The vice president also held talks with IOC president Kirsty Coventry ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
Adams provided some details about that encounter. “I know it went incredibly well, there was very good chemistry, they had a very good discussion,” he stated.
“I know speaking to the president this morning she was very pleased [with the conversation] and very pleased about the enthusiasm from the president and the whole administration for the Games.”