U.S. Officials Rename Athlete Reception Area for Milan-Cortina Games

Officials from the U.S. Olympic Committee have decided to rename the athlete reception area for the Milan-Cortina Games, changing it from “Ice House” to “Winter House.” This decision comes on the heels of protests in Minneapolis sparked by the fatal shooting of two Americans by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is promoting this venue as an “athlete-first space” aimed at providing a cozy gathering spot for U.S. figure skaters, hockey players, speed skaters, and their families, typically located in central Milan.

In a joint statement, U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey, and U.S. Speed Skating remarked, “Our hospitality concept was 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 Olympics.”

They added, “The name captures that vision and ties in with seasons and events.”

According to USOPC, Winter House will host various activities such as meet-and-greets with Olympic champions, medal ceremonies, viewing parties, and other sponsored events.

While it’s not accessible to the general public, NBC plans to include the venue in its coverage.

In recent events, thousands protested in Minneapolis, with students nationwide striking on Friday, urging the withdrawal of federal immigration agents following the mass shooting incident.

Alongside the ongoing immigration enforcement, President Donald Trump has deployed 3,000 federal agents to Minneapolis, significantly outnumbering local police forces.

U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn commented after a practice session in Milan, indicating that the name change is a reasonable step. “Given what’s happening and the repercussions of certain individuals’ actions, it’s unfortunate that we can’t embrace the term ICE,” she said. “Witnessing this in my home country is very upsetting, and I can’t even imagine the feelings of those directly affected. So, I believe it’s wise to change something as simple as a name if it helps people feel more comfortable.”