The opening ceremony of the Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Friday, held at the iconic San Siro stadium—the home of Italian football giants AC Milan and Inter Milan—was intended as a jubilant celebration of sport. Yet the event was marked by palpable political tension, with the Israeli delegation at the centre of a wave of protests from spectators.
As the four-member Israeli flag-bearing team joined the parade of nations, boos and jeers erupted from sections of the crowd. The reaction, though partially muffled by the loud musical performances, was unmistakable. A similar reception greeted United States Vice President J.D. Vance, who briefly appeared alongside the US delegation, waving the national flag with his wife. Observers noted that political controversies in the United States—particularly surrounding federal immigration enforcement—resonated in Milan, amplifying reactions to the presence of American officials.
Tensions are rooted in ongoing conflicts in Gaza. Since 7 October, a major Israeli military operation has claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians. According to Gaza health authorities, approximately 560 people have died in recent clashes, the majority of them civilians. These events have prompted calls from some quarters to ban Israel from Olympic participation, a motion that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ultimately rejected.
The controversy also recalls a tragic chapter in Olympic history. At the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, 11 Israeli athletes were killed in a terrorist attack on the Olympic Village, a tragedy that continues to shadow the Israeli delegation at subsequent Games.
Across Milan, protests extended beyond the stadium. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied under the banner “ICE Out”, denouncing the participation of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, who are assisting the American delegation during the Olympics. Analysts from a branch of ICE are reportedly stationed in Milan to support the US team, a development that intensified local opposition.
Despite the unrest, the remainder of the ceremony maintained its celebratory atmosphere, with parades occurring simultaneously across various clusters in northern Italy. US athletes received applause and cheers from segments of the audience, highlighting the complex interplay of sport and international politics.
Key facts from the event and related tensions are summarised below:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony |
| Venue | San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy |
| Israeli Delegation | 4-member flag-bearing team |
| Public Reaction | Boos and jeers from spectators |
| US Representation | Vice President J.D. Vance, US athletes |
| Gaza Casualties | ~560 deaths since October (majority civilians) |
| IOC Decision | Israel permitted to participate despite calls for ban |
| Historical Context | 1972 Munich Olympics: 11 Israeli athletes killed |
The ceremony thus became not only a sporting spectacle but also a mirror reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions. For many, it underscored how global conflicts inevitably intersect with international sporting events, reminding the world that the Olympic Games are never entirely insulated from the currents of politics and human suffering.