The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy are underway, marked by both athletic competition and political tensions. The games, which began on February 4th and are scheduled to run through February 22nd, have already seen preliminary events, with the Paralympics to follow in March. However, the opening days have been overshadowed by protests and athlete commentary on current events, according to reports from multiple news outlets.
The time difference between Italy and the United States is significant, with venues in Italy six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time, according to CBS News. The schedule for Sunday, February 8th, includes events such as alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn's first downhill run.
Amidst the sporting events, political discussions have emerged. Some Team USA athletes have shared their thoughts on representing the United States in the current political climate. "I love the USA, and I think I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics. With that being said, you know, a lot of times athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things. I feel heartbroken about what's happened in the United States," Team USA freestyle skier Chris Lillis told journalists on Friday, referencing ICE's actions in Minneapolis, as reported by CBS News.
Meanwhile, boxer Jake Paul, attending the games in Italy, defended ICE agents on social media after attending an Olympic hockey game with Vice President JD Vance. "If you dont like ICE then you cant call 911 when youre in trouble. If you dont respect law enforcement agents then you shouldnt depend on them," Paul posted on X, according to Fox News.
Outside the arenas, demonstrations took place in Milan. Protesters, organized by the Unsustainable Olympics Committee, clashed with police near the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a newly built venue. The demonstrations highlighted concerns about the environmental, economic, and social impact of the games, as well as the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Italy, according to The Associated Press, as reported by Fox News. Police deployed water cannons and tear gas against the demonstrators.
In other news, the CBS show "48 Hours" premiered its 38th season on September 27, 2025. The show airs Saturdays starting at 10/9c on CBS and streams on Paramount. Full episodes are also available on Pluto TV, YouTube, and Netflix.
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