The USA’s ice hockey team dominated Slovakia and are now set to have Donald Trump in attendance for their gold medal match against Canada on Sunday in Italy
Donald Trump is set to attend the Winter Olympics in Italy after the USA ice hockey team dominated Slovakia to earn a place in the final. The US will meet Canada to fight for a gold medal after sweeping their opponents aside 6-2.
Trump’s presence is set to see local police ramp up security measures for the president attending one of the most anticipated events of the Games, according to Corriere Della Dea. Trump’s journey to Italy was said to be contingent on the US making the final, which takes place on Sunday.
It is said to be a whistlestop tour, however. It has been suggested that Trump will go straight from Air Force One to the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. he will appear at the closing ceremony later that day before immediately departing Italy.
The IOC has not confirmed the rumours, with spokesman Mark Adams referring the matter to the White House. He said: “You wouldn’t expect me to comment on the movements of heads of state, and I’m not going to disappoint you.
“If you have a question on that one, I think you probably have to pose it to the White House. But certainly at this stage, we won’t comment on the movements of any head of state.”
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Trump’s anticipated presence at the closing ceremony comes after Vice President JD Vance was booed at the opening ceremony. Vance, who led the US delegation, was caught on camera and received a hostile reception as the US team made their entrance in an uncomfortable moment in Italy.
Protests took place in Milan when it was confirmed that staff from ICE, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement department, were involved in American security planning before the Games.
Amid some outspoken comments from US athletes about current events in their nation, Vance hit back. He said: “Yes, you’re going to have some Olympic athletes who pop off about politics.
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“I feel like that happens every Olympics. My advice to them would be to try to bring the country together, and when you’re representing the country, you’re representing Democrats and Republicans.
“You’re there to play a sport, and you’re there to represent your country and hopefully win a medal. You’re not there to pop off about politics.”
Trump, meanwhile, is no stranger to being booed at sporting events. He picked up a negative reception when attending the men’s final at the US Open in New York last year. The match was delayed by half an hour to accommodate heightened security checks.
The US president also received jeers at a Washington Commanders NFL game and heard boos in an appearance at last year’s Club World Cup.
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