British freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy has revealed that he has been subjected to a barrage of death threats in the aftermath of a social media post that targeted ICE, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The Winter Olympian, known for his outspoken views, shared the distressing details in a video posted late on Sunday.
Graphic Instagram Post Sparks Controversy
Kenworthy, who was born in Chelmsford but has resided in the US for most of his life, uploaded an image to his Instagram account last week. The photograph displayed the words "fuck ICE" apparently urinated into the snow, a graphic message that quickly went viral across various platforms.
Overwhelming Response and Hate Messages
In his emotional video statement, the 34-year-old athlete acknowledged that many responses were supportive and encouraging. However, he emphasised that a significant portion of the messages were deeply troubling.
"A lot of the messages have been awful, people telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing they'll get to see me blow my knee or break my neck during my event, calling me slurs ... it's insane," Kenworthy stated, highlighting the severity of the abuse he has endured.
Olympic Career and Upcoming Competition
Kenworthy, who won a silver medal in ski slopestyle at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi while representing the United States, switched to compete for Great Britain in 2019. He is set to participate in the men's snowboard halfpipe competition in Livigno, commencing on 19 February.
Solidarity with Fellow Athletes
The freestyle skier also expressed solidarity with other team members who have voiced their discomfort about representing the US under the current administration. He specifically mentioned fellow freestyle skier Hunter Hess and skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin, both of whom have spoken publicly about their unease.
Hess, who admitted that representing the US was "a little hard", triggered a furious response from former US president Donald Trump. Trump used his Truth Social account to describe Hess as "a real loser", further intensifying the political discourse surrounding the issue.
Broader Context of Social Media Backlash
Kenworthy's experience is not isolated within the sporting community. US figure skater Amber Glenn also announced she would be taking a break from social media after receiving "a scary amount of hate/threats" following her comments in support of the LGBTQ community in the United States.
Standing Up for Beliefs Despite Risks
Despite the risks of inviting more hostility, Kenworthy remains resolute in his commitment to speaking out. "Maybe this video is just going to invite more hate and vitriol but I think it's important to say what we feel and stand up for what we believe in and stand up to injustice," he asserted.
He further clarified his position, stating, "I think sometimes people forget that you can love the US and be proud to be an American – I am – and still think they can be better and just because you love the US doesn't mean you stand with this administration."
Official Response and Ongoing Developments
The British Olympic Association has been contacted for comment regarding the situation, though no official statement has been released at this time. The incident underscores the intense reactions that can arise from political expressions by high-profile athletes on social media platforms.
