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Another U.S. Winter Olympic athlete at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games is speaking out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly those in Minnesota.
American curler Rich Ruohonen took time during a news conference to reflect on what happened recently in Minneapolis, including the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.
Ruohonen, a personal injury attorney in Bloomington, Minn., said “what’s happening in Minnesota is bad — there are no shades of gray.”
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Rich Ruohonen joins his fellow Olympians during the Team USA Olympic Welcome Experience in Milan Cortina on February 4, 2026 in Italy. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
“First of all, I would like to say that I am proud to be here to represent Team USA and to represent our country,” Ruohonen began his statement. “But we would be remiss if we didn’t mention what’s happening in Minnesota and what a difficult time it’s been for everyone. These kinds of things happen where we live.
“I’m a lawyer, as you know, and we have a Constitution, and it grants us freedom of the press, freedom of speech, protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures, and requires that we have probable cause to be arrested. What’s happening in Minnesota is wrong – there are no shades of gray. It’s clear.”
Ruohonen represented the United States at two World Curling Championships in 2008 and 2018, but this is his first appearance at the Olympics after unsuccessful attempts in the past. He is set to become the oldest American to ever compete in the Winter Games.
During his statement, he was careful to point out that several of his teammates – six out of 11 to be exact – are from Minnesota.
US OLYMPIC SKIER HUNTER HESS ‘CANNOT WAIT TO REPRESENT TEAM USA’ AFTER TRUMP REACTION
“I really like what’s happening there now, with people coming out and showing love and compassion and integrity and respect to others that they don’t know and helping them,” he continued. “We love Minnesota for that. And I want to make it clear that we are here, we love our country. We play for the United States, we play for Team USA, and we play for each other, and we play for our friends and family who have sacrificed so much to get here today.
“It doesn’t change anything because what the Olympics is about is excellence, respect, friendship. And we all, I think, exemplify that. We play for the people of Minnesota and people across the country who share those same values.”
Ruohonen isn’t the first U.S. representative to speak out about what’s happening in his country, as skier Hunter Hess was criticized for the “mixed emotions” he said he had about representing the country.
He drew backlash from President Donald Trump and others after making comments to reporters last week.
Rich Ruohonen participates in the Team USA Olympic Welcome Experience in Milan Cortina on February 4, 2026. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
“It brings mixed emotions representing the United States right now, I think. It’s a little tough. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said.
“I think for me it’s more about representing my friends and family back home, the people who represented them before me, everything that I believe is good about the United States. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing them. Just because I’m carrying the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the United States.”
Hess made it clear a few days later what it means to represent the country at the Olympics.
“I love my country,” he wrote with an American flag emoji. “There are so many great things about America, but there are always things that could be better.
“One of the many things that makes this country so incredible is that we have the right and freedom to celebrate it. The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided, we need that more than ever. I look forward to representing Team USA next week when I compete.”
Team USA curling has already exceeded their expectations for the Games, as Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin upset reigning Olympic mixed doubles team champions Italy on Monday.
While the U.S. group lost to Sweden in the gold medal game, 6-5, they came away with silver, marking the seventh medal for the United States.
There’s more curling to come this week, with the United States taking on Czechia in the men’s round robin on Wednesday, followed by the women’s first session against South Korea on Thursday.
