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

President Donald Trump is joined by numerous members of the 1980 United States men's ice hockey team that accomplished the "Miracle on Ice." (Credit: Pool)

President Donald Trump announced Saturday who he is sending to represent his presidential delegation to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in northern Italy next month. 

Vice President JD Vance and 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. 

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Trump's delegation having two of the U.S. women's ice hockey players that defeated Canada to win gold comes at a time of national tension and heated rivalry with the neighboring nation.

USA women's ice hockey gold medal winners Jocelyne Lamoureux, left, and Monique Lamoureux-Morando after beating Canada in the PyeongChang 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 are willing to engage in physical combat with Canada 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," Harvey told Fox News Digital of potential anthem booing at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee media summit in October. "They don't like us very much. So it's more