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Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin wants to represent her own “values” at this year’s Milan Cortina Olympics.
“I think there’s a lot of hardship in the world on a global level, and there’s a lot of angst. There’s a lot of violence. It can be hard to reconcile that when you’re also competing for medals in an Olympic event,” the two-time gold medalist said during her media availability in Italy on Saturday.
During her lengthy response, Shiffrin read aloud a quote from Nelson Mandela, which was also recited during the opening ceremonies.
Mikaela Shiffrin speaks during a press conference during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Cortina Olympic Curling Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 7, 2026. (Stefano Rellandini/AFP via Getty Images)
“‘Peace is not just the absence of conflict. Peace is the creation of an environment in which we can all thrive, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social marker of difference,'” Shiffrin said, reading the quote on her phone.
“And for me, as this relates to the Olympics, I really hope to show up and represent my own values. Values of inclusion, values of diversity and kindness, and sharing, tenacity, work ethic, showing up with my team every day and the values that we bring and put on the mountain and on the hill every day. I hope to represent those who have been supporting me this whole time.
“I’m really grateful to be here, and my biggest hope for these Olympic Games, from a broader perspective, is that they will be a beautiful display of cooperation and competition.”
Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States celebrates winning the women’s alpine ski slalom World Cup in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Shiffrin’s questioning comes close to numerous American athletes being asked how they felt representing the United States at the Australian Open as it relates to President Donald Trump’s current second term.
Anti-ICE protests broke out in Milan last week after the announcement that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be deployed to this year’s Games.
U.S. Embassy officials told The Associated Press last week that ICE agents would support diplomacy security details and would not carry out any immigration control operations, considering that they would be in a foreign country.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said ICE would not be welcome in the city and cited images of masked officers in Minneapolis.
People take part in an Anti-ICE demonstration, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
“This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters people’s homes, signing their own permits. It is clear that they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,” Sala told RTL Radio 102 before ICE’s alleged involvement in security was revealed.
