The International Olympic Committee moved quickly to clarify its position after US Vice President JD Vance was loudly booed during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro stadium. The reaction unfolded on Friday night as millions around the world watched the launch of the Milan-Cortina Games, an event designed to celebrate unity, sport, and global cooperation.

The ceremony itself featured high-profile performances from Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey, setting a grand tone for the start of the Games. Ninety-two nations are competing in 2026, including the United States, whose delegation was led by Vance. When cameras focused on him in the stadium, the crowd responded with sustained boos.

The moment came against a tense political backdrop. Earlier in the day, thousands of anti-ICE demonstrators gathered across Milan to protest US immigration policies, despite President Donald Trump not attending the Games. The demonstrations appeared to spill over into the atmosphere inside the stadium.

Before the ceremony, IOC President Kirsty Coventry had addressed concerns about potential reactions to the American delegation. She emphasized that the opening ceremony should be treated as a moment of mutual respect and hoped political tensions would not overshadow the sporting celebration.

Following the incident, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams addressed the situation at a press conference. He stressed that the organization welcomed strong engagement from the US administration, particularly with the next Summer Games scheduled for Los Angeles, calling it a positive sign for the Olympic movement.

Adams also reiterated the IOC’s broader stance on crowd behavior, including incidents involving Israeli athletes. He emphasized that athletes should never be targeted for the actions of their governments and that the spirit of the Olympics rests on fair play, respect, and appreciation of athletic excellence, regardless of nationality.