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U.S. Olympic officials changed the name of the U.S. athletes’ hospitality area from the “Ice House” to the “Winter House” amid protests in Italy that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was involved in security measures at the Games and growing outrage over operations in the U.S.
The environment is set to be a place for U.S. Olympic figure skaters, speed skaters and ice hockey players and their families to gather for meet-and-greets, medal celebrations, watch parties and other events, according to Reuters. The venue is set to be featured during NBC’s coverage of the Winter Games.
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A general overview of the Team USA welcome experience at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on February 2, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
“Our hospitality concept is designed to be a private space free of distractions where athletes, their families and friends can come together to celebrate the unique experience of the Winter Games,” US Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating said in a joint statement.
“This name captures that vision and connects to the season and the event.”
USA Today first reported the name change.
ICE agents will play a security role for U.S. officials during the Winter Games. U.S. Embassy officials told The Associated Press last week that ICE agents would support diplomatic security details and would not be running any immigration enforcement operations.
OLYMPICS 2026 MILAN CORTINA: EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WINTER GAMES
Ilia Malinin of Team United States practices on day minus four of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Ice Skating Arena on February 2, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
“It is clear that ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement operations in foreign countries,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“At the Olympics, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations supports the US State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and the host nation in investigating and mitigating the risks posed by transnational criminal organizations. All security operations remain under Italian authority.”
Meanwhile, protests erupted in Italy over ICE’s involvement.
“No thanks, from Minnesota to the world, alongside anyone who fights for human rights,” said one banner, according to The Associated Press. Another said: “Only ice cream in the Spritz.”
Italian lawmaker Riccardo Magi, center, displays a poster demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents not be allowed at the Milan Cortina Olympics during a protest staged by the center-left +Europa party outside the US Embassy in Rome, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said ICE would not be welcome in the city, citing images of masked agents in Minneapolis. ICE operations have come under fire since the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
