The hospitality stop known as Ice House' is now the Winter House' for US athletes

The hospitality stop known as Ice House' is now the Winter House' for US athletes

Briefly

"The Ice House has been officially renamed the Winter House, in a nod to the tension surrounding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, commonly known as ICE. 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, said a release from the house sponsors, USA Hockey, US Speedskating and US Figure Skating. Protests against ICE have broken out in Minnesota and across America after immigration officers killed two people."

"The issue also sparked demonstrations in Italy when news broke that ICE was sending a handful of agents to assist with some Olympic-related security measures. The ICE agents will be working on computers inside, not in the streets, and are not part of the same unit that is cracking down in the U.S. The Winter House is the closest thing these Games will have to a USA House the usual hangout for athletes and their families typically hosted by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee."

"I think it's wise, U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn said when asked about the name change. 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. Asked about the name change, moguls skier Tess Johnson, who is in Milan this week before she competes hours away in Livigno, said she has thought a lot about what it means to represent the States in this Games."