US Olympic athletes join criticism of federal shootings in Minneapolis
Protests against ICE operations intensify as players and Olympians speak out on unrest in Minnesota
ISTANBUL
US athletes preparing to compete in the Olympics have joined politicians and other public figures in criticizing the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal authorities in Minneapolis last month.
Minnesota has seen weeks of protests and confrontations with federal authorities, with demonstrations centered on ICE operations and the shootings. The tense climate was visible last Sunday at a Professional Women’s Hockey League game in St. Paul, where fans chanted “ICE out now.”
Speaking at a postgame news conference, Minnesota Frost players Kelly Pannek and Taylor Heise -- both members of the US Olympic team -- said they felt it was important to acknowledge events affecting their local community, NBC reported Sunday.
“It’s obviously really heavy,” Pannek said. “I think people have been asking a lot of us what it’s like to represent our state and our country.”
“I think what I’m most proud to represent is the thousands -- tens of thousands -- of people who show up on some of the coldest days of the year to stand and fight for what they believe in,” she said.
Heise said the team has tried to make people feel safe during its games, even as the unrest continues.
“Even though you can’t feel safe, I feel like, in this time and place here in Minnesota,” Heise said.
Cross-country skier Jessie Diggins also addressed the situation last week after her final competition before the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“Honestly, this week was mentally and emotionally stressful for me for many different reasons, all of which were outside of sport,” Diggins said Jan. 25, the day after Pretti was fatally shot.
“Primarily, it’s been devastating following the news of what has been happening in Minnesota right now and it’s really hard feeling like I can do nothing about it,” she said.
Coach Jackie J, a popular sports content creator, urged athletes to use their Olympic platform to speak out in a video that drew more than 500,000 views on TikTok and 60,000 views on Instagram. She encouraged them to “speak up against a government that is literally going after its own people,” calling it both an “opportunity” and a “responsibility.”
Weeks-long protests have taken place in Minneapolis and St. Paul, escalating after the killing of Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, by immigration officers Saturday, and the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.
