Winter Olympics 2026: Gus Kenworthy took death threats over ICE post ‘with grain of salt’

Team GB’s Gus Kenworthy says he is “on the right side” after receiving death threats for publishing a sensational message about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Freestyle skier Kenworthy shared a photo on Instagram containing an expletive in front of the word ‘ICE’, a week before he was due to compete at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

In January, critical care nurse Alex Pretti, 37, and Minnesota resident Renee Good, 37, were killed by ICE agents in the city, sparking protests across the United States.

Speaking to BBC Sport about the threats he received, Kenworthy said: “It was difficult. Nobody wants to read bad things about themselves, things that are threatening, violent, scary and homophobic.

“I was a little skeptical about it too. I couldn’t imagine writing something like that about someone, especially in a public forum, thinking there was something wrong with someone who did that.”

“I think I’m on the right side.”

Kenworthy, 34, was born in Chelmsford but grew up in the US and won a silver medal in ski slopestyle at the Sochi 2014 Games before moving to Team GB in 2019.

He qualified for the halfpipe final, which will start at 18:30 (GMT) this evening, with 81.25 points, placing ninth.

US skier Hunter Hess finished fifth and made an ‘L’ sign on his forehead after completing his run in response to US President Donald Trump calling him a “real loser”.

“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the United States,” Hess said before the Games.

Speaking to reporters after Friday’s qualifiers, he said: “I worked hard to be here. I sacrificed my whole life to make this moment happen.

“I won’t let arguments like this get in my way. I love the United States of America. I can’t say that enough.”