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Not all representatives of the red, white and blue seemed necessarily excited to do so at the Olympics.
Freeskier Hunter Hess said he had “mixed emotions” representing the United States in Milan, while skier Mikaela Shiffrin said she wanted to represent her own “values” in Milan, and it was “difficult to reconcile“violence in America as they “competed for medals at an Olympic event.”
But for two-time gold medalist Jordan Stolz, there were no problems.
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Gold medalist Jordan Stolz of the United States celebrates after the men’s 500 meters speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Ben Curtis/AP Photo)
In a recent interview with PK Press Club Digital, the two-time gold-winning speed skater in Italy, Stolz said he doesn’t pay any attention to other athletes’ comments.
“I haven’t really paid attention to it, but I’m always happy to represent the United States,” Stolz said.
“I think we are the best country.”
It wasn’t just Winter Olympic athletes who shared their trepidation about representing the United States on the biggest stage. In an interview with PK Press Club Digital a few months before the 2024 Summer Olympics, Noah Lyles said representing the United States was “bittersweet” and came with “a heavy heart,” saying black people in America have “a lot to deal with.”
Noah Lyles of the United States poses after winning the gold medal in the men’s 200 meters final at the World Athletics Championships. The event took place in Tokyo on September 19, 2025. (Matthias Schrader/AP)
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST DISCUSS THE BALANCE BETWEEN CELEBRATING A VICTORY AND VICTORY FOR OTHERS
Hess said it was “a little difficult” to represent the United States, because “there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.” The comments prompted President Donald Trump to call him a “real loser.”
“Just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the United States. I just want to do it for my friends, my family and the people who support me to get here,” Hess said in February.
Shriffin said: “I think there’s a lot of hardship in the world globally, and there’s a lot of heartbreak. There’s a lot of violence. It can be difficult to reconcile that when you’re also competing for medals at an Olympic event.”
Before the World Baseball Classic, Bryce Harper, who played for Team USA, said it was “crazy” not to fully embrace wearing the American flag.
United States Bryce Harper celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. (Lynne Sladky/AP)
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THE Philadelphia Phillies first baseman said that no matter where one stands politically, it is always the greatest honor to represent the United States.
“Obviously there are things going on in the country that, you know, are not good or people don’t believe in it or whatever, right? Politics aside, for me, when you go and representing your countryyou represent your country, man. Like, block it all out. It’s sport.
“We want to put something happy and good and just awesome on TV that everyone can watch, right? So, representing your country, there’s nothing bigger than representing your country. There’s really nothing at all.
