Gus Kenworthy faces no punishment for provocative protest
British freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy will not face any sanctions from Olympic authorities after sharing a controversial image on social media that featured the phrase “F*** ICE” displayed in yellow snow, reports BritPanorama.
The 34-year-old, who has over 1.2 million followers on Instagram, posted the image on Wednesday to express his opposition to the activities of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Following the post, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken against him.
An IOC spokesperson explained, “During the Olympic Games, all participants have the opportunity to express their views as per the Athlete Expression Guidelines. The IOC does not regulate personal social media posts.” ICE agents are currently stationed in Milan to provide security for US Vice President JD Vance during the Opening Ceremony.
Kenworthy’s protest comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE following the fatal shooting of two individuals in Minnesota, which has sparked widespread protests in the US. The British Olympic Association reportedly views his post as a personal opinion unrelated to the Games, indicating a relaxed stance on the matter.
Notably, Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter prohibits political, religious, or racial demonstrations in and around Olympic venues, but Kenworthy’s action took place prior to his arrival in Italy, placing it outside these restrictions.
In his original message, Kenworthy also encouraged American citizens to advocate against ICE operations, providing a sample script for conversations with their Senators. He further acknowledged the nature of his post in a humorous follow-up, referring to it as a “pee” image.
Born in Chelmsford, Kenworthy moved to Colorado at the age of two and has switched national allegiances over his career, joining Team GB after initially competing for the United States. He previously won a silver medal in slopestyle at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and is set to compete in the men’s freeski halfpipe qualifying round at Livigno Snow Park on 19 February.
Kenworthy’s track record of political statements includes criticism of the Chinese government during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, underscoring his willingness to leverage his platform for advocacy. As he prepares for another Olympic appearance, his approach continues to resonate within the current landscape of athlete activism.
In navigating the tricky interplay of sport and political expression, Kenworthy reminds us that the platforms athletes command today can spark discussions far beyond the arena—an ongoing conversation about where sport meets broader societal issues.
