Team GB star escapes punishment for X-rated act at Winter Olympics

Freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy will not be punished for an X-rated social media post aimed at the USA’s ICE agency.

The 34-year-old is set to represent Team GB at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina this month.

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Kenworthy will compete in the men’s halfpipe at his fourth Winter Games.

However, his appearance will not be without controversy due to his social media activity ahead of the event.

Kenworthy appeared to urinate a message into the snow before sharing a picture of his act on his Instagram account, which has over one million followers.

The words ‘F*** ICE’ could be seen in a reference to the USA’s immigration and customs enforcement (ICE).

Alongside the post, he added a message informing his followers how they can contact their senator to ‘speak up’ against ICE.

This included a sample script, in which Kenworthy said: “Innocent people have been murdered, and enough is enough.

“We can’t wait around while ICE continues to operate with unchecked power in our communities.”

IOC statement

Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states it is a ‘fundamental principle that sport is neutral and must be separate from political, religious or any other type of interference’.

But an International Olympic Committee spokesperson has confirmed to the Press Association that Kenworthy would not be punished for his post.

They said: “During the Olympic Games, all participants have the opportunity to express their views as per the athlete expression guidelines. The IOC does not regulate personal social media posts.”

instagram @guskenworthy

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US vice-president JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are currently in attendance at the Games.

The pair were present for Friday’s opening ceremony after watching Team USA’s opening ice hockey match the previous day.

Who is Gus Kenworthy?

Chelmsford-born skier Kenworthy has spent most of his life in the USA.

The Team GB athlete emigrated to Colorado aged two and represented the USA earlier in his career.

His silver medal in slopestyle at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi came for Team USA.

However, Kenworthy has been representing the country of his birth since 2019.

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After switching allegiance, he won gold at the 2020 Ski World Cup in Calgary for Great Britain in the freestyle halfpipe.

Kenworthy also appeared at the previous Winter Olympics in Beijing four years ago.

This month’s Games will see him compete in the men’s halfpipe as part of the freestyle skiing schedule.

The event takes place across February 19 and 20 during the second week of the Winter Olympics.