Trump sends big message in US-Canada ice hockey rivalry with delegation selections for Milan-Cortina Games

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PresidentDonald Trumpannounced Saturday who he is sending to represent his presidential delegation to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in northern Italy next month.

Vice PresidentJD Vanceand his wife Usha have been chosen to lead the delegation.

The other members include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador of the United States to the Italian Republic Tilman Feritta, 2018 women’s ice hockey Olympic gold medalists Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, 2002 and 2006 speed skating gold medalist Apolo Ohno and 2010 figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek.

Jocelyne Lamoureux and Monique Lamoureux-Morando

USA women’s ice hockey gold medal winners Jocelyne Lamoureux, left, and Monique Lamoureux-Morando after beating Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Gangneung, South Korea. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Multiple athletes competing for the upcoming U.S.women’s ice hockey Olympic team have said they arewilling to engage in physical combatwith Canadian players if it comes to it.

U.S.women’s hockey star Caroline Harvey said she is prepared to fight and even hear Canadians boo “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Games.

“It’s expected, especially playing Canada,�S.Olympic and Paralympic Committee media summit in October.“They don’t like us very much.So, it’s more motivating than anything and, personally, it fuels the fire and makes us want to, you know, beat them more than ever.

US HOCKEY STAR BRADY TKACHUK OPENS UP ON TRUMP PHONE CALL AHEAD OF 4-NATIONS FACE-OFF FINAL VS CANADA

Jamie Rattray of Canada fights Abbey Murphy

Members of Team USA and the Canadian women’s hockey team scrap during the IIHF Women’s World Championship Aug.26, 2021, in Calgary, Canada. (Derek Leung/Getty Images)

“I don’t like them either.They’re a respectable competitor.They’re so good and always give us such a hard game.It’s so back-and-forth.But when we get in the heat of the moment, we just always fight and don’t like them.… It does get personal at times.”

Veteran teammate Kendall Coyne Schofield, the mother of a toddler and self-described “lover,not a fighter,�

“If I have to, I have to,” she said.“And I wouldn’t say I’m not a fighter in the sense that I’ve fought for many things in life.But I would just say in general.Fighting is not a strength of my game.But if I’m out there, and I have to, you know, help my teammates out, I will.But you won’t find me starting the fight, I can tell you that.”

Canadian hockey players fight in the world championships

Team USA and Canadian women’s hockey players battle during the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Calgary, Canada. (Derek Leung/Getty Images)

The delegation will represent Trump and the U.S.at a time when the administration has shown a willingness to use tariffs topurchase Greenlandand is overseeing regime change in Venezuela after capturing former leader Nicolás Maduro.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) hasruled out any exclusionor sanctions against the U.S.for the upcoming Winter Games.

“In a world shaken by conflict and division, the International Olympic Committee stands firm in its belief that sport must remain a beacon of hope, a force that brings the whole world together in peaceful competition.This is at the very heart of the Olympic movement and derives from the fundamental principles of Olympism.This was reemphasized by the IOC Executive Board in September 2025,�

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“As a global organization, the IOC has to manage a complex reality.At every edition of the Olympic Games, the IOC has to deal with the current political context and the latest developments in the world.We have always done this successfully.The ability to bring athletes together, no matter where they come from, is fundamental to the future of values-based, truly global sport, which can give hope to the world.

“For this reason, the IOC cannot involve itself directly in political matters or conflicts between countries, as these fall outside our remit.This is the realm of politics.Our role is to ensure that athletes can participate at the Olympic Games, no matter where they come from.”

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Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.