Israel’s Winter Olympics entry draws scattered boos at Milan ceremony, with heavy security as tensions follow team onto the Olympic stage

The roar of celebration at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium briefly faltered when Israel’s Olympic team entered the arena. What was meant to be a night of shared sporting spirit revealed the complex realities shadowing the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, as applause mixed with scattered boos during the opening ceremony.



As fireworks lit up the sky and music filled the stadium, the Israeli delegation marched confidently, waving their national flag and smiling at the crowd. While a handful of jeers were audible, they were quickly swallowed by the ceremony’s booming soundtrack and the broader festive atmosphere. The moment passed swiftly, yet it underscored the heightened political sensitivities surrounding Israel’s participation this year.

Parallel opening parades took place across northern Italy, reflecting the Games’ dual-host format. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, some Israeli athletes were met with cheers, while in Predazzo, home to the ski jumping events, reactions were more mixed. The varied responses highlighted how opinion differed from venue to venue, even within the same host nation.





Israeli competitors had anticipated a charged reception well before stepping into the spotlight. With the ongoing war in Gaza shaping global discourse, athletes acknowledged that politics could spill into sporting spaces. Alpine skier Barnabas Szollos, speaking ahead of the ceremony, struck a calm and focused tone, saying he was ready for whatever reaction came his way. His priority, he said, was racing well and enjoying the competition rather than engaging with the noise beyond the slopes.

Israel has sent a small delegation to the Winter Games, comprising nine Olympians and one Paralympian. Security remains a key concern for the team, a reality deeply rooted in Olympic history. The 1972 Munich Games, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed in a terrorist attack, continue to cast a long shadow. It was only in 2021, nearly five decades later, that the victims were formally commemorated during an Olympic opening ceremony.



Italian authorities have remained on alert in the run-up to the Games, particularly following protests linked to Israel’s participation. In December, police intervened to prevent pro-Palestinian demonstrators from disrupting the Olympic torch relay, signalling the scale of preparation underway.



Despite the political tension, the opening ceremony itself leaned heavily into celebration. Pop icon Mariah Carey drew cheers as she performed the Italian classic Nel blu, dipinto di blu, better known as Volare, setting an exuberant tone for the evening. World leaders, including US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, watched from the stands, though Vance was met with audible jeers when shown on the stadium’s big screen.



As the Games officially began, Milan offered a reminder that the Olympics remain a meeting point of sport, culture and global politics. For Israel’s athletes, the message was clear. Amid cheers, boos and scrutiny, their focus remains firmly on competition, resilience and representing their country on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.