Team GB skier Gus Kenworthy has revealed that he has received death threats and abusive messages after sharing a protest image criticising the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) on social media, just days before competing at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
Kenworthy, 34, posted a graphic image on Instagram in which “ICE” was preceded by an expletive. The post quickly went viral. In a follow-up video, he said the response had been overwhelming, both positive and hostile.
“The other day I posted a photo with my thoughts on ICE and that photo has since gone everywhere – and I’ve gotten a tonne of messages and most of them honestly have been supportive and encouraging,” he said.
“But a lot of the messages have been awful, people telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing they’ll get to see me blow my knee or break my neck during my event, calling me slurs… it’s insane.”
Born in Chelmsford and raised in the US, Kenworthy won silver at the Sochi 2014 Games before switching allegiance to Great Britain in 2019. He is set to compete in the men’s snowboard halfpipe, with qualifying beginning on 19 February in Livigno.
The British Olympic Association said it was supporting the athlete. “Team GB takes athlete welfare seriously and has support services in place for athletes, including specifically where there are threats and abuse via social media,” a spokesperson told BBC Sport.
Protests have intensified in the US following the January deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota during encounters with ICE agents. Several American athletes have since spoken out about tensions back home.
Team USA skier Chris Lillis said he was “heartbroken” and wanted the country to “respect everybody’s rights”, while Hunter Hess added: “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.”
Double Olympic champion Chloe Kim also addressed the issue. “This one definitely hits pretty close to home,” she said. “We need to lead with love and compassion and I would love to see some more of that.”
The International Olympic Committee confirmed it is using artificial intelligence to monitor abusive content online. The system, first deployed in 2022, previously flagged 2.4 million posts in more than 35 languages.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams said, “I’m not going to add to the discourse. We have a good relationship with the USOPC and the administration, that can only be good for debate and delivering a good Games.”
Kenworthy said he would not back down despite the backlash. “Maybe that’s the price you pay for speaking up and using your platform but I think it’s important to say what you feel and stand up for justice,” he said. “You can love the US and be proud to be an American and still think it can be better.”
Officials confirmed he would not face disciplinary action for his post. BOA chief Dame Katherine Grainger said he had the right to express himself.
Meanwhile, tensions surrounding US involvement at the Games have continued. The decision to send ICE agents to assist American security drew criticism in Italy, while US vice-president JD Vance was booed at the opening ceremony in Milan.
Despite the controversy, organisers said there were no plans to increase security, insisting the atmosphere in the Olympic villages remained calm.
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