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Another American Winter Olympian at the Milan 2026 Cortina Games is speaking out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, specifically those carried out in Minnesota.
American curler Rich Ruohonen took time during a press conference to reflect on recent events in Minneapolis, including the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.
Ruohonen, a Bloomington, Minnesota, personal injury attorney, said, “What’s happening in Minnesota is wrong — there are no shades of gray.”
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U.S. Olympians Luc Violette, Benjamin Richardson, Rich Ruohonen, Daniel Casper and Aidan Oldenburg attend the Team USA Homecoming Experience at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games on February 4, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
“First of all, I would like to say that I am proud to be here to represent Team USA and our country,” Ruohonen began his statement. “But we would be remiss if we didn’t mention what’s going on in Minnesota and what a difficult time it’s been for everyone. These things are happening right where we live.
“I’m a lawyer, as you know, and we have a Constitution that allows us freedom of the press and free speech, protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures, and requires us to have probable cause to be detained. What’s happening in Minnesota is wrong; there are no shades of gray. It’s clear.”
Ruohonen has represented the United States at two world curling championships in 2008 and 2018, but this is his first time at the Olympics after failed trials in the past. He will become the oldest American to participate in the Winter Games.
During his statement, he made sure to point out that many of his teammates (six of 11 to be exact) are from Minnesota.
AMERICAN OLYMPIC SKIER HUNTER HESS ‘CAN’T WAIT TO REPRESENT TEAM USA’ AFTER TRUMP’S REJECTION
“I really love what’s been happening there now with people coming out, showing love, compassion, integrity and respect for others they don’t know and helping them,” she continued. “We love Minnesota for that. And I want to make it clear that we are here, we love our country. We play for the USA, we play for Team USA, we play for each other and we play for our friends and family who have sacrificed so much to get here today.
“That doesn’t change anything because what the Olympics mean is excellence, respect, friendship. And I think we all exemplify that. We’re playing for the people of Minnesota and people around the country who share those same values.”
Ruohonen is not the first representative of the United States to express his opinion on what is happening in his country, as skier Hunter Hess was criticized for the “mixed emotions” he said he had representing the country.
He received backlash from President Donald Trump and others after making initial comments to reporters last week.
American Olympians Rich Ruohonen and Daniel Casper attend the Team USA Homecoming Experience at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games on February 4, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
“I think it brings mixed emotions to represent America right now. It’s a little difficult. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not a big fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said.
“I think, for me, the important thing is to represent my friends and family in my country, the people who represented it before me, all the things that I think are good about America. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s happening in America.
Hess made it clear days later what it means to represent the country in the Olympic Games.
“I love my country,” he wrote with an American flag emoji. “There are many wonderful things in America, but there are always things that could be better.
“One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and freedom to point it out. The best part about the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided, we need it more than ever. I can’t wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete.”
The US curling team has already exceeded its expectations for the Games, as Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin pulled off an upset against Italy, the reigning Olympic mixed doubles team champions, on Monday.
While the US group fell to Sweden in the gold medal game, 6-5, they took the silver, marking the seventh medal for the US.
There’s more curling ahead this week, as the United States will face Czechia in the men’s round-robin session on Wednesday, followed by the first women’s session against South Korea on Thursday.
