Vice President Vance Lands in Milan for Winter Games
U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Milan, Italy, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, to head the American presidential delegation for the 2026 Winter Olympics. His arrival marks the beginning of a diplomatic and sporting engagement, as he prepares to attend the opening ceremony of the Games on Friday, February 6.
Milano Cortina 2026: A Historic Winter Olympics
The XXV Winter Olympic Games, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, are set to captivate audiences from February 6 to February 22, 2026, with some competitions commencing as early as February 4. This edition of the Winter Olympics is notable as the first to be officially co-hosted by two cities: Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Milan will serve as the primary hub for ice events and will host the grand opening ceremony at the San Siro stadium. The Games will span approximately 8,500 square miles across northern Italy, showcasing a wide array of venues. Italy has a history of hosting the Winter Olympics, having done so in 1956 in Cortina d'Ampezzo and in 2006 in Turin. A new addition to the Olympic program this year is the sport of ski mountaineering.
Distinguished American Delegation
Vice President Vance, the 50th Vice President of the United States, leads a distinguished American delegation. He is accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta. The delegation also includes several celebrated former Olympic athletes, underscoring the nation's support for its competitors. These include:
- Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson (2018 Ice Hockey Gold Medalist)
- Monique Lamoureux-Morando (2018 Ice Hockey Gold Medalist)
- Apolo Ohno (Speed Skating Gold Medalist)
- Evan Lysacek (2010 Figure Skating Gold Medalist)
Vance's Initial Engagements and Diplomatic Context
Upon his arrival, Vice President Vance wasted no time engaging with the Olympic spirit. On Thursday, he attended a preliminary round women's ice hockey match where the U.S. team defeated the Czech Republic 5-1 at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Speaking to U.S. athletes, Vance emphasized the unifying power of the Games, stating that the competition 'is one of the few things that unites the entire country.' His trip to Italy is part of a broader itinerary that combines sports diplomacy with foreign policy, as he is also scheduled to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan to support a peace agreement brokered by the White House. Security for the delegation is robust, with U.S. Secret Service agents present. A U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) official clarified that no agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are part of the Team USA delegation, addressing earlier concerns.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
Rubio and Vance together? This delegation is more about politics than sports.
Leonardo
It's great that the Vice President is using this platform for diplomatic efforts in Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is truly important. However, the optics of such a high-profile delegation for a sporting event can overshadow the serious diplomatic work.
Raphael
Fantastic to see our Vice President supporting Team USA! This is great for morale.
Donatello
The idea of the Games uniting the country is powerful and something we should strive for. But with the current political climate, it's hard to ignore the divisions that a specific political figure's presence might highlight, rather than heal.
Michelangelo
The blend of diplomatic and athletic representation is smart. Go USA!