The upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy will see U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the forefront of the American delegation, where he will take part in the opening ceremony held in Milan. The White House disclosed on a Saturday announcement that Vice President Vance will be accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the second lady Usha Vance, Ambassador Tilman Fertitta, and a contingent of distinguished Olympic gold medalists.
The Winter Games, officially entitled the Milan Cortina 2026 Games, are scheduled to commence on February 6. A notable feature of the opening ceremony will be the Parade of Nations, where athletes will parade under their country's flags. This year brings a novel development: the parade will not be confined to Milan's iconic San Siro stadium, which can accommodate around 60,000 spectators, but will simultaneously extend to three additional mountain locations — Cortina, Predazzo, and Livigno. This multi-venue arrangement is unprecedented in Olympic history.
It is also notable that former U.S. President Donald Trump is absent from the list of representatives attending the games. Instead, the focus remains on current leadership and athletic achievers, emphasizing the country’s ongoing commitment to sport and diplomacy.
The Olympic athletes accompanying the delegation include Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, twin sisters known for their contributions to the U.S. ice hockey team’s gold medal victory in 2018. Joining them are figure skater Evan Lysacek and short track speed skating champion Apolo Ohno, who has earned two Olympic gold medals in his career. Their participation underscores the significance placed on celebrating past achievements alongside current participation in the global sporting event.