JD Vance & Marco Rubio to Attend 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony; Trump Not on Delegation List

 

Marco Rubio

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary Marco Rubio to Attend 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony; Trump Not on Delegation List

ROME, Italy — U.S. Vice President JD Vance will lead an official American delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and attend the highly anticipated opening ceremony, the White House announced Saturday.

The Milan–Cortina Winter Games are set to begin on Feb. 6, and Vance will represent the United States at the event, underscoring Washington’s support for Team USA and international sports diplomacy. He will be accompanied by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Second Lady Usha Vance, U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta, and a group of celebrated Olympic gold medalists.

The Parade of Nations — a centerpiece of the opening ceremony — will take place primarily at San Siro Stadium in Milan, expected to be filled with roughly 60,000 spectators. In a historic first, parts of the procession will also unfold at three additional locations: Cortina, Predazzo, and Livigno, reflecting the geographic spread of the 2026 Games across northern Italy.

Notably absent from the official U.S. delegation list is President Donald Trump, who is not scheduled to attend the opening ceremony or other Olympic events in Italy. White House officials did not immediately provide a reason for Trump’s absence.

Olympic Stars Join Delegation

The American delegation will include several revered Olympic athletes whose achievements have become part of U.S. sports history:

• Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, twin sisters and gold medalists with the 2018 U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team

• Evan Lysacek, Olympic gold medal–winning figure skater

• Apolo Anton Ohno, two-time Olympic gold medalist in short track speed skating

Their presence highlights the administration’s effort to emphasize Team USA’s legacy and inspire current competitors at the 2026 Games.

A Global Stage

The Milan–Cortina Olympics are the first Winter Games coordinated across multiple host cities and venues, blending world-class competition with scenic alpine settings. The inclusion of multiple Parade of Nations sites adds a new dimension to Olympic pageantry, and U.S. officials are expected to engage with Italian hosts and international leaders throughout the two-week competition.

With Vance and Rubio serving as senior U.S. representatives, the United States’ presence at the Olympics aims to blend athletic support with diplomatic engagement, reinforcing ties between allied nations while celebrating global athletic excellence.

More details about the U.S. delegation’s schedule and engagements at the Games are expected in the coming weeks.

FAQs: U.S. Delegation at the 2026 Winter Olympics

1. Who is leading the U.S. delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony?

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is leading the American delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and will attend the opening ceremony.

2. Is President Donald Trump attending the Winter Olympics opening ceremony?

No. According to the White House, President Donald Trump is not on the official delegation list and is not scheduled to attend the opening ceremony.

3. Which U.S. officials will attend alongside JD Vance?

The delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Second Lady Usha Vance, U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta, and several former Olympic gold medalists.

4. When and where will the 2026 Winter Olympics take place?

The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will begin on February 6, 2026, across multiple locations in northern Italy.

5. Where will the opening ceremony be held?

The main opening ceremony will take place at San Siro Stadium in Milan, with additional Parade of Nations events held in Cortina, Predazzo, and Livigno, marking a first in Olympic history.

6. Which American Olympic athletes are part of the delegation?

The delegation includes Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Monique Lamoureux-Morando, Evan Lysacek, and Apolo Anton Ohno, all Olympic gold medalists.

7. Why are multiple cities involved in the opening ceremony?

For the first time, the Olympics will feature a multi-location Parade of Nations to highlight the geographically spread venues hosting the Milan–Cortina Games.

8. What is the significance of JD Vance attending the Olympics?

Vance’s presence highlights U.S. support for Team USA, international sports diplomacy, and relations with Italy during one of the world’s largest global sporting events.

9. Will the U.S. delegation hold diplomatic meetings during the Games?

While specific meetings have not been detailed, senior officials like the vice president and secretary of state typically engage in bilateral and diplomatic events alongside the Games.

10. How many spectators are expected at the opening ceremony?

Around 60,000 spectators are expected at Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the main opening ceremony.