Jessie Diggins, a cross-country skier from Afton, Minnesota (and among the most decorated Winter Olympians in US history), was one of the first: “I’m racing for an American people who stand for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty, and respect for others.” In the early days of the Olympiad, other American athletes made similar statements: speedskater Connor McDermott-Mostowy, freestyle skiers Hunter Hess and Chris Littis, figure skater Amber Glenn, and alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin. Vance himself led the charge: “You’re not there to pop off about politics.” But Olympians such as Chloe Kim spoke up for teammates who were attacked and for the most part the sentiments have been received as principled and restrained—resonant with the messages of peace, tolerance, and human rights conveyed during the Opening Ceremonies. All this highlights the powerful, if often misunderstood, social and political significance of the Olympics—impacts that result directly from the global scope of the Games and their reliance on nationalism as a mode of organizing (and thus heightening the emotional intensity of) the ceremonies and competitions.
Author: Doug Hartmann at TSP Specials
Published at: 2026-02-17 23:28:20
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