“There’s a lot of great things about America, but there’s always something that could be better,” U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess said a day after President Trump. yelled at him For what he said he had.”mixed emotions“As a representative of the United States, winter olympics He answered a reporter’s question last week.

“I love my country,” freestyle skier Hess said in an interview. social media posts Monday. “There are many great things about America, but there is always something that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country great is that we have the right and freedom to point it out.”

“The best thing about the Olympics is that it brings people together, and we need that now more than ever, when so many people are divided,” Hess said. “I can’t wait to represent Team USA next week. Thank you for everyone’s support.”

U.S. Olympic snowboarders also weighed in when asked by journalists Monday if they wanted to address Trump’s call of Hess a “real loser” or how they felt representing Team USA.

“There are a lot of different opinions in the United States right now, and there are clearly divided opinions,” Bee Kim said. “Personally, I’m very proud to represent the United States. But I think diversity is what makes America such a strong country and what makes it a special country.”

Maddie Mastro said she is proud to represent the United States, but is “saddened by what’s going on in our country. It’s really hard. I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to this situation. But at the same time, I represent a country that shares my values ​​of kindness and compassion, and we stand together in times of injustice.”

“My parents are immigrants and this is definitely very close,” said two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim. “I think it’s really important in times like these that we come together and stand up for each other, with everything that’s going on right now. And I’m really proud to represent the United States. The United States has given my family and me a lot of opportunities. But I also think we’re allowed to have our say on what’s going on. And I think we need to lead with love and compassion. And I’d like to see a little more of that.”

International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams told reporters on Monday that Trump’s comments were “not intended to add to the debate.”

“I don’t comment on statements by the president of the United States, and I don’t comment on other heads of state,” Adams said.

Asked if Hess needed more protection following Trump’s comments, Adams declined to publicly discuss security issues.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee said Sunday that it is aware of an increase in harmful messages directed at athletes and is doing its best to report credible threats to law enforcement and remove harmful content, according to the Associated Press.

“I think it’s important to say what we feel, stand up for what we believe and stand up against injustice. I’m really proud to see other athletes doing that,” skier Gus Kenworthy, who will represent Great Britain at the 2026 Winter Olympics, said in a video posted to social media late Sunday.

Kenworthy, a dual U.S.-British citizen who previously competed for Team USA, posted a photo on social media last week with an explicit message condemning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A message was written on the urine in the snow.

“I want to remind everyone that you can love America and be proud to be an American, and you can still think, as I do, that this country can be better and that this country can be better,” Kenworthy said. “And just because you love America doesn’t mean you support this administration, you support their politics, you support their laws, you support what they stand for, because I don’t. And I don’t support ICE, and I think it’s absolutely evil and horrible and horrible.”

Last week, Team USA freestyle skier Chris Lillis told reporters in response to a question about domestic politics that he was “heartbroken by what happened in the United States,” adding, “As a country, we need to focus on respecting the rights of everyone and treating everyone, not just our citizens, with love and respect.”

Late Sunday, he posted a video on social media showing himself falling while skiing.

The caption read, “For all the haters, I’m crashing to get you all excited.” “Don’t worry, I’m pretty strong.”

“Athletes have been political and politicized since ancient athletics,” J. Simon Roff, associate professor of sports diplomacy at the University of Leeds, told CBS News.

Roffe cited the 1968 Mexico Olympics, when U.S. track and field medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in protest on the podium, as just one of many examples of Olympians using their position to take a stand on political issues.

“The point to note is [in these Winter Games] He is the political representative of athletes. So social media platforms offer a much greater opportunity than we’ve seen in the past,” Roff said, adding that “sports play a huge role in society and in communities where people come together.” They allow for conversations that wouldn’t happen otherwise. Now, some of those conversations may suit your tastes and temperament, and some may not. ”