U.S. Olympic officials are changing the name of an athlete community space for the 2026 Games, from Ice House to Winter House.
The U.S. figure skating, hockey and speedskating organizations, which are jointly hosting the venue in a boutique hotel in Milan, said the name change reflected the concept of creating “a private space free of distractions” for athletes and their guests “to celebrate the unique experience of the Winter Games.”
While the agencies did not say so, ditching the Ice House name also avoids a connection with the similarly named federal agency whose presence at the Games has already drawn protests from Italians.
The Ice House venue was originally announced in September. The name change was announced after the killings of two Americans in Minneapolis by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents touched off protests across the United States.
ICE’s role at the Winter Games has faced new scrutiny, as agents will accompany the U.S. delegation to Italy, a move that has stoked anger among Italians outraged by the agency’s conduct in Minneapolis. Antonio Tajani, Italy’s foreign minister, told reporters that ICE agents would not be allowed to deploy on Italian streets.
Italians took to the streets over the weekend to protest the agency’s presence during the Games.
“Our hospitality concept was designed to be a private space free of distractions where athletes, their families, and friends can come together to celebrate the unique experience of the Winter Games,” U.S. Olympic officials said in a statement. The new name, it added, “captures that vision and connects to the season and the event.”
Activities at the club for Team USA will include meet-and-greets with Olympic champions, medal celebrations and watch parties, according to a news release announcing the space in September. Team USA artifacts will also be on display. The hub is closed to the public but NBC is set to showcase the venue during its coverage of the Games.
Amber Glenn, an American figure skating champion and first-time Olympian, said she thought it was “wise” for officials to change the name of the athletes’ space.
“It’s unfortunate that the term ‘ice’ isn’t something we can embrace because of what’s happening and the implications of what some individuals are doing,” Glenn told reporters after practice on Monday in Milan, according to Reuters.
“Unfortunately, in my own country, it is very upsetting and very distressing to see,” she said. “And I can’t imagine how people who have been impacted by that directly feel. So I think it’s wise that we change something as minute as a name if it is able to make anyone feel more comfortable.”
The opening ceremony for the Milan Games is set for Friday. Preliminary games in Olympic hockey begin on Thursday; figure skating starts on Friday; and speedskating begins on Saturday.
Remy Tumin is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news and other topics.
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