The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have become a stage for ongoing debates about social divisions in the United States.
In the latest development, American snowboarding sensation Chloe Kim has urged for greater empathy and understanding in response to former President Donald Trump’s harsh criticism of fellow Olympian Hunter Hess.
During a press conference at Livigno Snow Park on Tuesday, Kim emphasized the importance of unity and mutual support amid these challenging times, according to AFP.
The controversy began when Trump publicly lambasted freestyle skier Hunter Hess, labeling him a true loser after Hess expressed conflicted feelings about representing the U.S. at the Olympics.
American media outlets have interpreted Hess’s comments as a reference to the widespread backlash against the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies, particularly in light of the recent fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Kim, a second-generation immigrant of Korean heritage, related to the issue personally, stating that this hits close to home for me.
She said that although America has provided her family with numerous opportunities, they also have the right to voice their opinions on current events.
Kim further advocated for actions rooted in love and compassion, expressing her desire to see more of such behavior. She is set to compete for her third consecutive Olympic gold in the snowboarding halfpipe event.
Fellow American snowboarder Bea Kim, present at the same press conference, echoed these sentiments, highlighting diversity as a cornerstone of American strength.
Bea said that diversity is what makes America exceptional and resilient, noting that although the four of them come from varied backgrounds, they are united in pursuing their dreams.
Eileen Gu, born in the U.S. but competing for China in freestyle skiing, also weighed in on the controversy.
She said that Hess had called her a few days earlier and told her he just wanted to ski, but thought she would understand the pressure of being in the global spotlight. She added that she deeply empathized with his situation and felt he was facing an uphill battle against public opinion at the moment.