US Olympians rally around skier after Trump jab fuels free-speech spat

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MILAN, Feb 10 : America’s Winter Olympics delegation again found itself pulled into the country’s culture wars on Tuesday after President Donald Trump labelled freestyle skier Hunter Hess a “real loser,” prompting teammates to rally around him and defend the freedom of expression they say defines the nation.

Hess had said he felt conflicted about racing for the United States amid political developments at home, remarks that drew a sharp social media response from Trump and quickly reverberated through the American team. What might once have been a private athlete’s reflection instead escalated into a public confrontation between the president and his country’s Olympians.

Several U.S. athletes moved to defend Hess, arguing that criticism of a competitor for voicing personal doubts cut against the country's stated commitment to free speech. Their reaction underscored the uneasy intersection of sport and politics at a Games where competitors are united by a flag but divided, like many Americans, by the climate beyond the arena.

Ben Ogden, who had just ended a 50-year U.S. medal drought in Olympic men's cross-country skiing with silver in the classic sprint, said the episode was disheartening. 

"I choose to believe that I live in a country where people can express their opinions without backlash,” he said.

"Certainly not... without backlash from the president. And that was really disappointing to see, but I hope it doesn't continue like that."

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

U.S. Olympic cross-country skier Zak Ketterson had earlier called the backlash "pretty childish," defending Hess’s right to speak openly.

"I think it's pretty childish to come at somebody for