CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Curler Rich Ruohonen became the latest U.S. athlete to weigh into domestic politics on Tuesday, condemning immigration sweeps in his home state of Minnesota that is a hotbed for the sport.
Various American athletes at the Winter Games have spoken out over events back home, with skier Hunter Hess labelled a “real loser” by an irritated U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I’d like to say I’m proud to be here to represent Team USA, and to represent our country. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention what’s going on in Minnesota,” said Ruohonen, a 54-year-old personal injury lawyer who works in Minnesota.
“What a tough time it’s been for everybody. This stuff is happening right around where we live,” he added in a statement at the end of a press conference.
Protests have been taking place around Minnesota after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents killed two U.S. citizens as part of Trump’s push against illegal immigration.
