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Not all representatives of the red, white and blue seemed necessarily enthusiastic about doing so at the Olympics.
Free skier Hunter Hess said he had “mixed emotions” about representing the United States in Milan, while skier Mikaela Shiffrin said she wanted to represent her own “values” in Milan, and it was “difficult to reconcile“violence in the United States while “competing for medals in an Olympic event.”
But for two-time gold medalist Jordan Stolz, there were no problems.
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Gold medalist Jordan Stolz of the USA celebrates after the men’s 500 meter speed skating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (Ben Curtis/AP Photo)
In a recent interview with Pak Gazette Digital, the two-time gold-winning speed skater in Italy, Stolz said he didn’t pay attention to other athletes’ comments.
“I didn’t really pay attention to it, but I’m always happy to represent the United States,” Stolz said.
“I think we are the best country.”
It wasn’t just the Winter Olympians who shared their eagerness to represent the United States on the grandest stage. In an interview with Pak Gazette Digital months before the 2024 Summer Olympics, Noah Lyles He said that representing the United States was “bittersweet” and came with “a great deal of regret,” saying that black people in America have “a lot to deal with.”
Noah Lyles of the United States poses after winning the gold medal in the men’s 200 meters final at the World Athletics Championships. The event took place in Tokyo on September 19, 2025. (Matías Schrader/AP)
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST DISCUSS THE BALANCE BETWEEN CELEBRATING ONE VICTORY WHILE COMPETING FOR OTHERS
Hess said it was “a little difficult” to represent the United States, because “there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not a big fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.” Those comments led President Donald Trump to call him a “real loser.”
“Just because I carry the flag doesn’t mean it represents everything that’s happening in America. I just want to do it for my friends, my family and the people who support me getting here,” Hess said in February.
Shriffin said: “I think there is a lot of hardship in the world globally and there is a lot of anguish. There is a lot of violence. It can be difficult to reconcile that when you are also competing for medals in an Olympic event.”
Before the World Baseball Classic, Bryce Harper, who played for Team USA, said it was “crazy” to not fully embrace the use of the Stars and Stripes.
United States Bryce Harper celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of the World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. (Lynne Sladky/AP)
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He Philadelphia Phillies first baseman He said that no matter what your political position, it is always the greatest honor to represent the United States.
“Obviously, there are things that are happening in the country that, you know, are not good or that people don’t believe in or whatever, right? Politics aside, for me, when you go and representing your countryYou’re representing your country, man. Like, block all that. They are sports.
“We want to put something on TV that’s happy and good and great for everyone to see, right? So, representing your country, there’s nothing better than representing your country. There’s really nothing at all.
