Olympic Stars Champion Unity After Political Controversy
Two of the most prominent figures at the 2026 Winter Olympics have publicly addressed recent comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who labeled American freestyle skier Hunter Hess as "a real loser." The controversy emerged after Hess expressed complex emotions about representing the United States amidst current political divisions.
Press Conference Highlights Compassion and Sportsmanship
During a press conference held on Monday, February 9, American snowboarding champion Chloe Kim and Chinese freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu shared their perspectives on the situation. Both athletes emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and compassion within the sporting community.
Chloe Kim, who is pursuing her third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the halfpipe event, stated, "We need to lead with love and compassion, and I'd love to see more of that." The 25-year-old athlete added a personal dimension to her response, noting, "Obviously, my parents being immigrants, this one hits pretty close to home."
Eileen Gu Laments Political Distractions from Olympic Spirit
Eileen Gu, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who recently secured silver in the freeski slopestyle event for her fourth career Olympic medal, expressed disappointment that political discussions were overshadowing the Games. "I'm sorry that the headline eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so unrelated to the spirit of the Games," the 22-year-old remarked. "It really runs contrary to everything the Olympics should be."
Drawing from her own experiences with political controversies, Gu added, "As someone who has got caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes. I hope they can ski to their very best."
Team USA Snowboarders Voice Their Support and Values
Chloe Kim was joined by three fellow Team USA snowboarders during the press conference:
- Maddie Mastro affirmed her pride in representing the United States while acknowledging the challenging political climate: "I'm proud to represent Team USA and my country. I also feel saddened by what's happening at home, but we represent values of kindness and compassion, and we come together in times of injustice."
- Bea Kim, aged 19, highlighted the opportunities available to athletes in America: "Diversity is what makes us strong. The four of us here today are an example—we all got to chase our dreams."
- Maddy Schaffrick, making her Olympic debut at 31, emphasized the unifying power of the Games: "The Games are the epitome of all countries and cultures coming together in celebration and friendly competition. I'm proud to represent the U.S. and do what I love while wearing the American flag."
Background on the Controversy and Athlete Responses
The controversy originated when Hunter Hess, who is scheduled to compete in the men's freeski halfpipe on February 19, shared that representing the United States "brings up mixed emotions" while also expressing pride in representing his friends, family, and the positive aspects of his country. Trump's subsequent post on Truth Social platform brought national attention to Hess's comments.
Throughout their responses, the athletes consistently reinforced the message that sports should serve as a unifying force rather than a divisive one. Their collective stance underscores the Olympic ideal of bringing people together across political and cultural boundaries through athletic excellence and mutual respect.
