The opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games on Friday was met with boos and jeers from the crowd when Vice President J.D. Vance appeared on the stadium's big screen, according to Time. The event, which drew a crowd of 65,000, marked the kickoff of the games, traditionally a unifying, non-political occasion.
President Donald Trump reportedly brushed off the reaction, stating on Air Force One that he was surprised, as "people like him" do not typically get booed in the U.S., according to Time. However, a YouGov poll released on February 6 suggested that Vance's unpopularity may extend beyond the U.S.
The 2026 Winter Games are part of a rare convergence of mega sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup and the Youth Olympic Games, as reported by Time. These events are expected to draw billions of viewers, with the sports economy projected to reach $8.8 trillion by 2050, according to the World Economic Forum. This growth depends on healthy people, stable environments, and resilient communities, which are currently under strain.
The opening ceremony itself was noted for its positive atmosphere, a contrast to previous events that faced challenges, such as the frigid temperatures in PyeongChang in 2018, the fanless Tokyo games in 2021 due to COVID, and the rain-affected Paris ceremony, according to Time.
In other news, Britain's government faced a political storm following the release of files connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, as reported by Time. The disclosures have already impacted the monarchy, with Prince Andrew stripped of his royal title.
Additionally, Bad Bunny was set to make history as the first Latin solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, according to Time. His performance, following the Grammy Awards where many celebrities criticized President Donald Trump's immigration policies, raised questions about its political impact. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell supported the selection, stating that Bad Bunny is "one of the great artists in the world," according to Time.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment