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Olympic star Hunter Hess faces wrath of ‘Miracle on Ice’ star
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Mike Eruzione, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist who performed a key position within the group’s “Miracle on Ice” second in 1980, defeated skier Hunter Hess of Group USA on Saturday.
Eruzione responded to Hess’ controversial feedback about representing the US on the world stage at this yr’s Olympics. Hess and teammate Chris Lillis expressed their displeasure at sporting the Stars and Stripes amid controversy over the Trump administration’s use of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the nation.
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Mike Eruzione of Group USA shakes palms with the Russian group throughout a 1980 exhibition sport in opposition to the Soviet Union on February 9, 1980 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis. (Bruce Bennett Studios by way of Getty Pictures Studios/Getty Pictures)
“Hunter Hess, an American snowboarder who says he does not symbolize his nation, however his household and buddies,” Eruzione wrote on
Eruzione later deleted the publish.
Lillis and Hess’ statements triggered vital backlash on social media.
Lillis stated that whereas he would “by no means” wish to symbolize one other nation on the Video games, he’s “heartbroken” by the federal government’s actions.
“I like the USA. I might by no means wish to symbolize one other nation within the Olympics. That stated, athletes are sometimes hesitant to speak about political beliefs and the way we take into consideration issues.
From left to proper: Group USA ahead Auston Matthews, Mike Eruzione, Wayne Gretzky and Group Canada ahead Sidney Crosby in the course of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship sport at TD Backyard on February 20, 2025. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Pictures)
NEW NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES HOW THE ‘MIRACLE ON ICE’ UNITED AMERICA IN 1980
“I’m heartbroken about what is occurring in america. I am fairly certain you are referring to ICE and a number of the protests and issues like that,” he continued. “I believe as a rustic we have to deal with respecting the rights of everybody and ensuring we deal with our residents in addition to anybody else, with love and respect. I hope that when individuals have a look at athletes competing within the Olympics, they notice that that’s the America we are attempting to symbolize.”
Hess echoed that sentiment, however went additional, saying he has “combined feelings” about representing the U.S. at these Video games.
“It is combined emotions to symbolize the US proper now, I believe. It is somewhat bit troublesome. Clearly there’s loads occurring that I am not the largest fan of, and I believe lots of people aren’t.
“I believe for me it is extra that I symbolize my family and friends again dwelling, the individuals who represented it earlier than me, all of the issues that I believe are good concerning the US. If it aligns with my ethical values, then I really feel like I am representing it. Simply because I am carrying the flag doesn’t suggest I symbolize the whole lot that is occurring within the US.
Hunter Hess reacts in the course of the males’s ski halfpipe closing on the Toyota US Grand Prix at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in Colorado on January 9, 2026. (Dustin Satloff/US Ski and Snowboard/Getty Pictures)
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“I simply wish to do it for my buddies and my household and the individuals who assist me to get right here.”
Fox Information’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
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