Israel team marches to smattering of boos at Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony

‘I’m prepared, they can do whatever they want,’ says Israeli skier Barnabas Szollos; hundreds protest against ICE, which is helping secure US delegation; Vance jeered at ceremony

Israel’s Olympic team walked into the stadium during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday to a smattering of boos at what had otherwise been an upbeat and festive celebration of the global winter sports extravaganza.

The Israeli delegation, waving the country’s flag and smiling, marched into the San Siro stadium during the parade of participating countries with the boos quickly drowned out by the loud soundtrack.

In Cortina d’Ampezzo, where a simultaneous parade was held for competitors located in the mountain cluster, Israel’s athletes earned some cheers, while in Predazzo, site of the ski jumping venue, there were some boos heard.

Israeli athletes said prior to the opening ceremony they were prepared for a potentially hostile reception following the war against Hamas in Gaza.

“I’m prepared, they can do whatever they want,” Israeli skier Barnabas Szollos said ahead of the opening ceremony.

“I just want to have a good race, fun race and do the best I can,” he said.

Israel has sent nine Olympians and one Paralympian to the Games.

Like at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, security is of top concern for Israel’s delegation.

Eleven Israeli athletes were killed during an attack by Palestinian terrorists at the Olympic village during the 1972 Munich Games.

The International Olympic Committee long refused to pay tribute to them at subsequent Games’ opening ceremonies despite continued pressure from relatives and Israel. They were finally remembered after 49 years, during the Tokyo Summer Olympics opening ceremony in 2021.

This year, protests against Israel’s participation are expected in both Milan and the ski resort of Cortina D’Ampezzo. At the Olympic torch relay in December, Italian police stopped pro-Palestinian activists from disrupting the proceedings.

Read more: On skis, sleds and skates, Israel’s Winter Olympians ready to give their all in Italy

Elsewhere, hundreds of people protested in Milan ahead of the Winter Olympics as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosted world leaders, including US Vice President JD Vance.

There has been anger in Italy over the presence of some agents from the US immigration enforcement agency ICE as part of security for the American delegation.

Pop diva Mariah Carey helped get the party started as the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics staged a unique opening ceremony that combined elements from the co-hosts, seeking to reflect both city and mountain life.

Carey performed the 1950s Italian song “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” (“In the blue, painted in blue”) with its famous “Volare” (“To fly”) refrain to cheers in Milan’s San Siro stadium.

Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among the crowd in the iconic soccer stadium. Vance drew jeers when an image of him waving the US flag appeared on a big screen.