US Vice President JD Vance faced boos from sections of the crowd during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan on Friday, even as the American athletes received an enthusiastic welcome. The reaction came when Vance and his wife, Usha, appeared on the stadium’s giant screen at San Siro, waving flags and applauding as Team USA marched in the parade of nations. The crowd’s reaction quickly went viral across social media.
While the vice president drew a mixed response, some of the loudest cheers of the night were reserved for Ukraine’s delegation. Russian competitors, who are participating as neutral athletes due to Olympic sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, did not take part in the parade.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Milan to protest Vance’s visit and the presence of US immigration enforcement agents assisting with security for the American delegation.
Vance also met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday, praising what he described as shared conservative values between the United States and Italy.
The Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics officially began Friday night with a dazzling opening ceremony at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium, alongside celebrations unfolding at competition sites throughout the snow-covered Italian Alps.
The ceremony reached its emotional peak with the lighting of two Olympic cauldrons - one in Milan at the historic Arch of Peace and another in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the stylish alpine resort located about 250 miles from Milan and host of the women’s alpine skiing events.
At the Arch of Peace, Italian skiing legends Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni ignited a striking cauldron inspired by the intricate knot designs of Leonardo da Vinci. Meanwhile, in the crisp mountain air of Cortina, former Olympic gold medalist Sofia Goggia took on the honor after completing a training run for the women’s downhill competition.
The Milan ceremony also celebrated Italy’s deep cultural legacy, featuring artistic performances and a tribute to legendary fashion designer Giorgio Armani.
While the vice president drew a mixed response, some of the loudest cheers of the night were reserved for Ukraine’s delegation. Russian competitors, who are participating as neutral athletes due to Olympic sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, did not take part in the parade.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Milan to protest Vance’s visit and the presence of US immigration enforcement agents assisting with security for the American delegation.
Vance also met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday, praising what he described as shared conservative values between the United States and Italy.
The Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics officially began Friday night with a dazzling opening ceremony at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium, alongside celebrations unfolding at competition sites throughout the snow-covered Italian Alps.
The ceremony reached its emotional peak with the lighting of two Olympic cauldrons - one in Milan at the historic Arch of Peace and another in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the stylish alpine resort located about 250 miles from Milan and host of the women’s alpine skiing events.
At the Arch of Peace, Italian skiing legends Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni ignited a striking cauldron inspired by the intricate knot designs of Leonardo da Vinci. Meanwhile, in the crisp mountain air of Cortina, former Olympic gold medalist Sofia Goggia took on the honor after completing a training run for the women’s downhill competition.
The Milan ceremony also celebrated Italy’s deep cultural legacy, featuring artistic performances and a tribute to legendary fashion designer Giorgio Armani.
