Arabic version: غس كينورثي يرد على تهديدات بالقتل بسبب منشور مثير للجدل حول وكالة الهجرة والجمارك

Gus Kenworthy, a member of Team GB, has spoken out about receiving death threats following a graphic Instagram post regarding the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The freestyle skier shared the image just a week before competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. According to BBC News, the post came in response to the tragic deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were killed by ICE agents in Minnesota, prompting nationwide protests.

Kenworthy expressed his feelings about the threats, stating, “It was tough. No-one wants to read bad things about themselves, things that are threats and violent and scary and homophobic.” He also mentioned that he took the threats “with a grain of salt,” emphasizing that anyone making such remarks on public forums has serious issues.

The 34-year-old athlete, who previously won a silver medal in ski slopestyle at the Sochi 2014 Games, has switched allegiance to Team GB from the US. He finished sixth in the halfpipe final at the ongoing Olympics, where American skier Alex Ferreira won gold. Another American, Hunter Hess, who also criticized ICE, placed 10th in the same event.

Hess had previously indicated that wearing the American flag does not mean he supports all actions taken by the U.S. government. He made headlines during qualifiers by responding to remarks made by President Trump, who had labeled him a “real loser.” Hess stated his commitment to his sport and love for the United States despite the controversies surrounding it.

Kenworthy, who retired after the 2022 Olympics, returned to the sport last year, self-funding his journey to the Games. He expressed determination to continue competing, stating, “I’m having fun, I’m not done.” Looking ahead to the next Winter Olympics in 2030, he remains hopeful about his future in the sport.