The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics began as a global celebration of sport but was marked by moments of political protest during the Opening Ceremony on Friday.
As the Israeli Olympic team, a small delegation of four athletes, entered the San Siro stadium in Milan, a portion of the crowd responded with audible boos. The athletes continued to wave their flag and smile. The ceremony’s soundtrack largely covered the brief negative reaction. In a contrast, the Israeli delegation received applause during the simultaneous festivities in the co-host venue of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The reaction proved the broader political tension surrounding the Games. Earlier in the day, hundreds of protesters marched in Milan under the “ICE OUT” banner. They voiced opposition to U.S. immigration enforcement policies and the reported presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. These demonstrations also focused on visiting U.S. officials.
This political sentiment has been carried into the ceremony. When U.S. Vice President JD Vance appeared on the stadium’s screen, he was met with a mix of cheers and loud boos from the audience. The appearance of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on screen drew a similar mixed reaction.
Israeli athletes had reportedly prepared for the possibility of such responses ahead of the ceremony, given the ongoing global debate surrounding the conflict in Gaza. Some observers in Milan linked the reception to these international tensions.
Despite these moments, the overall atmosphere at the ceremony remained largely festive and upbeat. The event featured performances by artists including Mariah Carey and celebrated Italian culture. The ceremony also made history as the first Winter Olympics opening under a dual-venue format, with events happening at the same time in Milan and in mountain locations like Cortina and Predazzo.
While the Israeli team encountered some boos in both Milan and Predazzo, the opening Ceremony highlighted a diverse array of nations. The Ukrainian team, for instance, received strong support from the crowd.
The dual nature of the evening, a festive celebration mixed with clear political expression highlighted how major international sporting events can intersect with global political currents, even as athletes from around the world prepare to compete.