The Italian city of Milan has protested for over a week to prevent the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from overseeing the 2026 Winter Olympics. Italy’s government confirmed that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will secure the US Olympic athletes on Jan. 27.
However, concerns grew when a Qatar-mandated cargo plane arrived at the Malpensa Airport. It delivered 20 camouflage SUVs, three snowmobiles, and over a hundred Qatari public security officers. Italians fear the Gulf nation wants to show its influence at the grand sports stage.
Milan Addresses ICE’s Cruelty
Italy has scrutinized ICE for its unjustifiable crimes during January. 18-year-old Milan resident, Bruna Scanziani, reminded the US enforcers at the Piazza XXV Aprile with her cardboard sign. Hundreds of protestors gathered at the landmark because it represents Italy’s liberation from Nazi fascism in 1945.
Cutouts of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and Liam Conejo Ramos are glued front-and-center, screaming the words, “Remember Them.” Good and Pretti were shot to death by ICE officers, while Ramos was detained in a facility after being forced to separate from his father, Adrian Conejo Arias.
According to Wired, ICE officers and Qatar security are stationed within the perimeter of the San Siro Stadium, where this year’s Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be held. The DHS informed the world that their attendance is “to vet and mitigate risks from transnational criminal organizations.” Their response is speculated to be related to former Canadian snowboarder, Ryan Wedding, who was recently captured for drug trafficking cocaine by the FBI.
Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, supported the protestors when the local radio heard him say that the ICE agents are “not welcome.” Donald Trump’s ally, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and other Italian officials refused to comment on their Winter Olympics involvement. The nation’s interior minister, Matteo Piantedosi, claimed he was unaware of the US immigration officers’ presence and saw no apparent issues.
Italy Invited Qatar to Restore Trust After World Cup 2022
Qatar does not have any athletes participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Instead, their security elites are in Milan due to Piantedosi’s cooperation agreement. The Italian Embassy of Doha reported that the interior prime minister discussed with the Qatari interior minister, H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, on Sept. 25, 2025.
They discussed having the Gulf nation’s security sector support the 6,000 Italian personnel at the February sporting event. Hamad Al Thani loved that Piantedosi sought to restore Italy’s partnership through sportsmanship. Not many like the idea because of Europe’s massive distrust of Qatar at the FIFA World Cup 2022. Soccer fans protested against the government after journalists discovered over 6,500 migrant workers died while constructing hotels and stadiums for the event.
These people were subjected to the kafala system, where sponsored employers promised to offer full foreign worker coverage, including travel expenses. Other controversies followed, such as a Qatari ambassador chastising the LGBT+ community, restricted press coverage, and a beer ban. From then on, the nation and its allies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, are shunned for sportswashing.
Officials and Qatar’s Fund for Development (QFFD) have been working hard to improve from the issues in the past three years. Yet, the sportswashing allegations have not faded. Between September and December 2025, the Qatar Olympic Committee established the School Olympic Program (SOP), the Women’s Sports Committee, and the Aim Beyond project.
How Are Athletes and the World Reacting to Winter Olympics’ Interference?
With the 2026 Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony performance on Feb. 6, the “No ICE in Milano” protest has increased its numbers as US sports teams joined their cause. The Huffpost has tracked that US Figure Skating, USA Hockey, and US Speedskating have changed the name of their suite from “The Ice House” to “The Winter House.”
The athletes responded to USA Today, “Our hospitality concept was designed to be a private space free of distractions where athletes and families can come together to celebrate the uniqueness of the Winter Games. This name captures that vision and connects to the season and the event.”
As for Qatar, the security sector is being watched. Previously, on Jan. 25, the Qatari Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster III slightly damaged a Milan lighting tower. Milano Today reported that the pilot executed the wrong landing maneuver while attempting to land at Malpensa Airport. Personnel include trained military and police officers. The Qatari security elites are divided into two groups to cover Milan and Cortina.
