US Olympic officials change name of ‘Ice House’ hospitality space
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U.S. Olympic officials have changed the name of the hosting area for American athletes from “Ice House” to “Winter House” amid protests in Italy over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) involvement in security measures at the Games and growing anger over U.S. operations.
The setting will be a space where American Olympic figure skaters, speed skaters and ice hockey players and their families will gather for meet-and-greets, medal celebrations, viewing parties and other events, according to Reuters. The venue is scheduled to be featured on NBC’s Winter Games broadcast.
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An overview of Team USA’s Welcome Experience at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics in Milan, Italy on February 2, 2026. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
“Our hospitality concept is designed to be a private, distraction-free space where athletes, their families and friends can come together to celebrate the unique experience of the Winter Games,” USA Figure Skating, USA Hockey and USA Speed Skating said in a joint statement. he said.
“This name reflects that vision and connects to the season and event.”
USA Today He first reported the name change.
ICE agents will play a security role for U.S. officials during the Winter Games. U.S. Embassy officials told The Associated Press last week that ICE agents will support diplomatic security details and will not conduct any immigration enforcement operations.
2026 MILAN CORTINA OLYMPICS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WINTER GAMES
Ilia Malinin of Team USA practices during day four of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at the Milan Ice Skating Arena on February 2, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
“Obviously, ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“At the Olympics, ICE Homeland Security Investigations supports the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and the host country to investigate and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations. All security operations remain under Italian authority.”
Meanwhile, protests broke out in Italy due to ICE’s involvement.
“No, thank you, from Minnesota to the world, alongside all who fight for human rights,” one banner read, according to the Associated Press. “Only Spritz has ice,” said another.
Italian Congressman Riccardo Magi (center) holds a banner demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers not be allowed to attend the Milan Cortina Olympics during a protest by the center-left party +Europa outside the U.S. Embassy in Rome on Thursday, January 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said ICE would not be welcome in the city and cited images of masked agents in Minneapolis. ICE operations have been under fire since the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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