US Winter Olympics hospitality space changed from ‘Ice House’ to ‘Winter House’ following anti-ICE protests

(CNN) — Three US Olympic bodies have changed the name of their shared athlete hospitality space at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics from “Ice House” to “Winter House,” following widespread protests in both Italy and the US over the role and conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The news was first reported by USA Today.

US Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating banded together to create a “hospitality house” for “Olympians, their families and valued partners” at a hotel in Milan for the Winter Olympics, according to a statement released in September. At the time, the space was dubbed “Ice House.”

But in the intervening months, ICE has become a byword for US President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration crackdown and its heavy-handed enforcement tactics, which resulted in federal immigration agents fatally shooting two US citizens – Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti – in Minneapolis last month.

US Figure Skating, USA Hockey and US Speedskating confirmed the name change to CNN on Tuesday, saying that “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.”

“This name captures that vision and connects to the season and the event,” they added in a joint statement. CNN has also contacted the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee for comment.

Anti-ICE protests swept across the US last month, and they spilled over into Italy too when US officials announced that ICE agents would be deployed to assist American security operations at the Winter Olympics.

While US officials said that this was standard practice and clarified the agency’s role, it prompted protests in Milan, petitions and opposition from current and former lawmakers.

This anti-ICE backlash has extended beyond the Winter Olympics, as some businesses worldwide have started distancing themselves from the agency.