U.S. Olympic athletes are speaking out about the state of their country — as Donald Trump seethes

“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think,” said freestyle skier Hunter Hess Friday. “It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of… Just ‘cause I’m wearing the flag, doesn’t mean I’m representing everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

Fellow freestyler Chris Lillis had this to say: “I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States. I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that,” he continued in reference to a reporter’s questions.

“I think that as a country we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights, and making sure that we’re treating our citizens, as well as anybody, with love and respect. And I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, that’s the America that we’re trying to represent.”

Athletes rarely speak out against their own governments at the Olympics: it almost never happens, and definitely not en masse.

On Saturday, American downhill ski icon Mikaela Shiffrin quoted Nelson Mandela while talking about the United States.

“‘Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where we can all flourish, regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, cute, or any other social markers of difference,’” she said, reading off her phone before continuing.

“And for me, as this relates to the Olympics, I’m really hoping to show up and represent my own values. Values of inclusivity, values of diversity and kindness and sharing, tenacity, work ethic. And my greatest hope for this Olympic Games, from a broader perspective, is that is it a beautiful show of co-operation, and of competition.”

Amber Glenn, a figure skater who is bisexual and pansexual, talked about how it’s been difficult for the LGBTQ community under the Trump administration, and how the community has had to support one another. Freestyle skier Svea Irving said it was definitely a tough time in her country right now, and that she wanted to represent compassion and respect and love for others.

“A lot of people say, ‘You’re just an athlete. Like, stick to your job, shut up about politics,’” said Glenn. “But politics affects us all.”

Nobody is mentioning the current leaders of the United States, one of whom — Vice-President JD Vance — is the head of the American Olympic delegation. (He was booed at the opening ceremony after American athletes were cheered.)

Instead, athletes are mostly talking about simple things: empathy, compassion, love, and the people in their lives.

And back home, right-wing lunatics whine: Send them home if they aren’t proud of their country. Like wrestler and boxer Jake Paul, who tweeted about Hess’s comments by saying, “Wow pls shut the f—k up … From all true Americans … If you don’t want to represent this country go live somewhere else.” Paul sat next to Vance at Sunday’s Team USA women’s hockey game.

Meanwhile, Glenn posted on Instagram that she was receiving “a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel.” But she said she would keep speaking up.

Back home, NBC apparently muted Vance being booed at the opening, but they can’t mute everybody. Oh, and the president weighed in.

Again, speaking out is courage. Cross-country skier Jessie Diggins is from Minnesota, where federal agents have killed at least two U.S. citizens during Trump’s anti-immigration operation. In Milan and Cortina, USA Hockey, U.S. Figure Skating, and U.S. Speedskating changed the name of their shared hospitality venue from Ice House to Winter House.

“I was born and raised in Minnesota … and it has been incredibly hard to focus on skiing when I’m seeing what’s being done to these amazing communities,” Diggins said. “That said, it’s still important I race my hardest and bring joy to these people. I’ve interacted with a lot of people who are out there protecting their neighbours, and looking out for their community.

“They’ve said, ‘Go race your heart out, you make me really happy when you go out there and smile at the start line, and you have glitter on your face. It still has meaning for you to go race, and to race hard, and you can still represent us well.’ I’ve really taken that to heart, and I’m very focused on representing the version of America that’s respectful, loving, sharing, open, and looks out for one another.

“Knowing how deeply scared I am about what’s happening back home has brought meaning and purpose to every race, because I don’t feel I’m just here for myself. I’m here to try to make it count and to represent the community I love so much.”

The worst of America followed us to Milan. The best of it, too.