"A lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things. I feel heartbroken about what's happening in the United States, Lillis said. I'm pretty sure you're referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that. I think that as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody's rights and making sure that we're treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect."
"Hess told reporters that being asked about representing the US amid ICE raids brings up mixed emotions for him. It's a little hard. There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren't, he said. The skier said he feels he's representing his friends and family and the good in his home country. Just because I wear the flag, it doesn't mean I represent everything that is going on in the US, he said."
Freestyle skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess said they felt mixed emotions representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics amid recent ICE raids and shootings. Lillis said he feels heartbroken about events in the United States and urged focusing on respecting everybody's rights and treating citizens with love and respect. Lillis said he would not want to represent any country other than the US and hopes athletes demonstrate the America they aim to represent. Hess said representing the US brought up mixed emotions, noted widespread dissatisfaction with current actions, and emphasized that wearing the flag does not mean endorsing everything happening in the country. The remarks followed anti-ICE protests and two recent killings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
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