Gus Kenworthy reveals that he was threatened with death for criticizing ICE actions in Minneapolis. Currently competing for the United Kingdom, the athlete competed in his first two Olympics for the U.S. and says he cares about the country.
On Friday (6), ahead of the start of the Winter Olympics, the Olympic skier posted a message criticizing the increased presence of ICE agents in U.S. states.
The post included an image with an insult to the agency written in the snow. A few days later, he commented on the threats he received as a result of his statement.
“I grew up in the U.S., that’s where I studied. […] That’s where I live now, so yes, I care about the U.S. and I care about what’s happening there,” Gus Kenworthy said in the video.
“People telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing they could see my knee pop or me break my neck during my events, calling me names… It’s insane,” reported the star of “American Horror Story: 1984.”
Despite the threats, Gus Kenworthy acknowledged that this may be the price of speaking out.
“But I think it’s important to speak up about what we feel, stand up for what we believe in, and confront injustice,” the athlete continued.
The British athlete’s statement comes shortly after ICE agents executed Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis in January. Gus Kenworthy called the agents’ actions “terrible.”
“There were U.S. citizens who were murdered in the street, executed in the street. And the agents are essentially acting with impunity because their identities are shielded. There is no accountability. It’s really scary.”
“We are a country of immigrants, and that is the American dream, and I think people sometimes forget that,” he said.
Photos: Instagram @guskenworthy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
