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MILAN — The United States is “still a very welcoming place,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Tuesday at the Milan Cortina Olympics, which have been a focus of global concern about the country’s political direction.

The Republican governor faced pointed questions from European media at a news conference in Milan to promote the 2034 Utah Winter Games, exactly eight years before the opening ceremony.

The past Olympic week in Italy saw opinions on U.S. international diplomacy and domestic politics mixed liberally into the sports.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance was booed by fans at the opening ceremony; African members of the IOC quizzed organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games about visas for visitors; and U.S. athletes were asked about representing their country at this time — with President Donald Trump joining a backlash against them.

“We care deeply about the political situation that is happening in the United States right now,” Cox said, when asked by a German reporter to compare an upbeat Olympic vision from Utah with news from the U.S. shaped by Washington.

“Those are political issues that will be worked through,” the governor said, reminding that eight years until the Winter Games return to Salt Lake City is “a long ways away, for sure.”

“We have elections just like your country, in Germany. We will see how those things turn out,” said Cox, whose political style has been to promote civility over polarizing divisions.

The governor chided the media for asking U.S. athletes questions beyond sports, while adding “I love that we get to live in a country where people get to speak their minds.”

He suggested what is broadcast on the television news “isn’t the only thing happening in our country.”

“You will find it still a very welcoming place. We are a very welcoming country,” he said. “There are some differences of opinion right now when it comes to the way that laws are being enforced. That will play out.”

Cox shared the news conference with Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Utah Winter Games organizing officials including Sarah Hirshland, chief executive of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Hirshland defended Hunter Hess, who Trump called a “real loser” after the freestyle skier said at a news conference he was “not the biggest fan” of all that is happening back home.

“It is important to us to ensure that anyone who is reacting to or commenting on something that someone said understands the totality and the context of what they said,” Hirshland said. “I have all the confidence in the world that every member of Team USA is proud to represent our country and understands the opportunity they have to bring people together.”

“We are all here for that and that’s exactly what we’re going to,” she said.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox had plenty to say Tuesday about the state’s plans for the 2034 Winter Games to a roomful of international reporters in Milan.

But the questions they kept asking were about U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Team USA freestyle skier Hunter Hess, who said last week he had “mixed emotions” about representing his country in Italy.

The governor, part of a panel of Utah 2034 organizers gathered at the Main Press Center for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, fielded the questions.

“We love our athletes. We’re grateful for our athletes. We recognize there are lots of divisions in our country and in our world today,” Cox said. “I love that we get to live in a country where people get to speak their minds.”

He said “that’s true of athletes. It’s true of governors, it’s true of presidents, it’s true of every individual in our country. And I’m grateful for that. Again, we care about unity. We believe that this is an opportunity to bring people together.”

Cox said that “people are going to speak their minds and I’m grateful for that. I think that makes us better.”

Pressed about whether America is a welcoming place under the administration’s immigration policies, the governor said, “we care deeply about the political situation that’s happening in the United States right now. The entire world watches the United States, maybe differently than other countries, and so everything gets highlighted more outside of the United States.”

Then, he suggested journalists sparked the controversy.

“I know the media loves this stuff. It gets a lot of clicks,” Cox said. “I hate the questions you ask the athletes. These are kids out there competing. I think you should be asking them about their sports and about their competition. Let the politics take care of the politics. That will happen.”

Cox said the United States has laws that need to be enforced.

“I think that’s important. I think that’s true in every country. I certainly had to show my documents when I came here to Italy,” he said.

Urging the several dozen reporters in the room to visit Utah and see for themselves that Utah is “still a very welcoming place,” along with the rest of the U.S., Cox said concerns about immigration enforcement “are political issues that will be worked through. Eight years is a long ways away, for sure.”

Hess, 27, had told reporters at a news conference in Milan last week that “just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” according to a CNN report.

“It’s a little hard; there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and I think a lot of people aren’t,” the Bend, Oregon, resident said. “I think for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe that are good about the U.S.”

Trump posted Sunday that Hess “says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee later responded to threats made against Hess, saying the organization’s “focus is on Hunter’s protection and on ensuring he has the support and resources in place to compete on the world’s largest stage.”

At Tuesday’s news conference, Sarah Hirshland, the CEO of the Colorado Springs-based USOPC referred journalists to a recent social media post from Hess that began, “I love my country” to understand the context behind his earlier comments.

“I have all the confidence in the world that every member of Team USA is proud to represent our country and understands the opportunity to have to bring people together,” Hirshland said. “We’re all here for that.”

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – The first gold medal won by an American at the Winter Olympics in Italy was won by Rowmark Ski Academy graduate Breezy Johnson.

Johnson became just the second American woman to win the Olympic downhill, along with Lindsey Vonn in 2010. Vonn crashed earlier in the race, breaking her leg.

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“It’s been a long time coming,” Johnson said after the race. “It’s been so much work, so I’m just happy that it paid off.”

A lot of that hard work was started at the Rowland Hall Rowmark Ski Academy in Salt Lake City. Johnson attended from 2009-12, so Rowmark Academy director Per Lundstam couldn’t have been more thrilled when she took the gold.

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“That was just fantastic,” Lundstam said. “When we saw that happen, it was incredible. I have been a part of her training and her development through the years, and just to see a person close to me have that type of success and then kind of find her dreams, that was just phenomenal.”

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Rowmark has produced at least one Olympic skier in every Winter Olympics since 1988 including three medalists. Picabo Street won a silver medal in the downhill in Lillehammer in 1994 and a gold in the Super-G in Nagano in 1998, while Hilary Lindh won a silver in the downhill in 1992.

Rowmark currently has produced five graduates in these Winter Games in Italy.

“The school here has had a tremendous success through the years and through history with producing really high level athletes,” Lundstam said.

But it isn’t all skiing at Rowmark. They also have high academic standards the students need to uphold.

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“We’re pretty unique in terms of trying to balance both very high level academics and very high level athletics,” Lundstam said. “So our athletes, they have to go to school in the afternoons after they’ve been on the ski hill all day and all morning. So they know coming in that it’s a heavy load.”

And now to have a gold medalist in Johnson as a Rowmark graduate has already inspired the current students.

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“I think it’s massive,” Lundstam said. “I think it really gives a sense of inspiration to pursue your own journey. Just walking in the corridors just this morning, athletes are smiling and they can’t believe that she did it. They’re so excited that she’s a part of us.”

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Johnson will also compete in the women’s combined alongside superstar Mikaela Shiffrin on Tuesday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.

The Utah Jazz, despite their best efforts, beat the Miami Heat with a final score of 115-111.

Utah’s tanking tactic of pulling Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jusuf Nurkic after the third quarter in favor of the youth could not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Through the first three quarters, the Jazz were led by Jackson Jr.‘s 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Markkanen chipped in 17 points while Jusuf Nurkic added 10 points and 16 rebounds.

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This game hurts the Jazz in the tank race, but it proves that Utah’s approach to losing games this season is no less ethical than its tanking counterparts. Unlike the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, the Jazz played their stars in back-t0-back games for the majority of the game, rather than sitting them with phantom injuries. This allows fans to watch Utah’s best players while still allowing the team to (in most cases) achieve its long-term goals.

Tonight, however, the youth stepped up in the fourth quarter to push the Jazz past Miami’s most competitive lineup. Isaiah Collier controlled the pace of the game late, finishing with 13 points and nine assists. Brice Sensabaugh, who has struggled over the past few outings, hit a big three and game-sealing free throws late. And Kyle Filipowski contributed a double-double, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Utah still holds the 6th best lottery odds after tonight. Wins from the Pelicans and the Nets mitigate any negative impacts from tonight’s win. If the lottery was today, the Jazz would own a ~96% chance of retaining their pick.

The Jazz return home on Thursday to face off against the Portland Trailblazers.

ITALY (ABC4) — The Utah 2034 organizing committee hosted a reception for family members of Team USA athletes at the Italy 2026 Winter Games.

On Sunday, Feb. 8, the organizing committee for Utah 2034 hosted a celebratory reception for Team USA at the Starbucks Winter House in Milan during the first week of Italy 2026. The event was centered around celebrating Team USA athletes and honoring the commitment of their loved ones.

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Catherine Raney Norman, Vice President of Development and Athlete Relations at Utah 2034, spoke about the excitement of hosting Team USA families at the Winter House.

Salt Lake City celebrates Opening Ceremony of Italy 2026 with watch party and cauldron lighting

“When we think about athletes, we think about their families first and how they have sacrificed for so many years,” she said. “We are just so grateful to welcome them here today, to celebrate them, and to cheer their athletes on here in Milan Cortina.”

There were over 100 athletes and family members in attendance, including alumni from past games. Maik Dawson, father of Team USA speedskater Casey Dawson, was in attendance at the reception. Casey Dawson, a Utah native born in Park City, represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Games and is back competing at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.

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“This is our first visit to Milan,” Maik said. “We’re having a great time, and we really appreciate the state of Utah putting this on for the parents and the athletes.”

Beyond Dawson, the reception welcomed several champions from previous Winter Games, including speedskating gold medalists Apolo Anton Ohno and Bonnie Blair.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.

The Seattle Seahawks’ second Super Bowl victory in franchise history made two Utah ties champions.

The Seahawks’ defense put on a clinic as Seattle beat New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

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It was a quiet night for most of the six Utah ties in Sunday’s Super Bowl, which included four active players, an offensive assistant and another player on the practice squad.

Utah ties who won a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks

Rashid Shaheed, WR/return specialist, Weber State: Shaheed had the biggest impact of the Utah ties in the Super Bowl, and the speedster just missed out on making a couple big gains.

Shaheed ended up with two receptions for 27 yards, one carry for minus-5 yards, two punt returns for 16 yards and one kickoff return for 20 yards in the win.

His biggest play was a 16-yard catch early in a field-goal scoring drive early in the second half that led to Seattle’s fourth field goal of the night.

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He was also targeted twice on long throws that came within inches of being completions. On one, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez tipped the ball away at the last moment, and on the other, a Sam Darnold pass was just over Shaheed’s outstretched hands early in the fourth quarter.

Shaheed is the seventh former Weber State player to win a Super Bowl but only the fourth to play in a Super Bowl.

Before the game, he weighed in on what a victory would mean to him as a representative of the Wildcats.

“I think that moment would just be bigger than just me,” he told the Deseret News. “That would be an opportunity to let kids know that you can make it from anywhere. You don’t have to go to a Power (Four) school. You can go to an FCS school and make it happen.”

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Connor O’Toole, LB, Utah: O’Toole played special teams for Seattle in the Super Bowl but did not record any statistics.

He is a rookie undrafted linebacker who brought home another Super Bowl ring for the University of Utah.

Utah ties who lost in Super Bowl LX with Patriots

Christian Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial High: Elliss had three tackles, including a solo stop, and a QB hurry for New England. It was his second Super Bowl appearance, and for the second time, he was on the losing end.

Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU and Granger High: Tonga had an assisted tackle for the Patriots. It was his first Super Bowl appearance in his fifth NFL season.

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Miles Battle, CB, Utah: Battle is a second-year NFL player who is on the Patriots’ practice squad.

Chuckie Keeton, offensive assistant, former Utah State quarterback: Keeton wasin his first year with the organization after entering the NFL ranks as an offensive assistant with Seattle last season.

At the base of the cloud-shrowded Olympia delle Tofane Olympic women’s downhill ski course near Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Friday, athletes waited out yet another long weather delay. Most people would have filled the hours by staring at screens, either scrolling their social media accounts or queuing up a show. Or maybe playing a few rounds of sudoku or solitaire.

The Team USA women used the time to learn something. Namely, how to get Footloose.

Shannon Colleton, the team physical therapist, appointed herself the instructor of the popular line dance performed by Kevin Bacon in the 1984 film (which was shot entirely in Utah County). She was joined in even rows by five teammates — including Keely Cashman, Breezy Johnson, Bella Wright and Jackie Wiles — all stomping around in their oversized Team USA jackets while tapping their ski boots in near-unison.

Their line dancing may still need some work, but the United States women’s Alpine team competing at these Olympics has definitely found its rhythm. In fact, it just might be the country’s best ever. And a big part of that success, several athletes on the team said, is that they’re constantly learning from each other.

“This team,” said Lindsey Vonn, a veteran of five Olympics, “— in both the quality of our skiing and the vibes that we bring to each other on and off the hill — is the best that I’ve seen.”

Vonn, a part-time Park City resident, said she didn’t think the U.S. could produce a more talented team than the one that competed at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. That year the women won three Olympic medals, tying the record from Vancouver 2010, including a gold and a silver by Mikaela Shiffrin and a bronze by Vonn.

The success of Shiffrin and Vonn aside, six other U.S. women earned a total of 11 top-10 World Cup finishes that year. This year, six women not named Vonn or Shiffrin collected a total of 23 World Cup top 10s. Technical specialist Paula Moltzen claimed 11 of those. Johnson scooped up four more.

Those performances have boosted the U.S. women to the top of the standings in the Nations Cup in downhill, slalom, giant slalom and overall.

And Johnson on Sunday put Team USA on the top of the podium in these Olympics with her gold-medal downhill race. She became just the second American woman to win gold in the event, following Vonn’s 2010 victory. Cashman, a former University of Utah skier, finished just off the podium in fourth and Wright was 21st.

Vonn, who tore her ACL two weeks before the Games, crashed early on the course and had to be airlifted out.

“This is the first time I can say that there are multiple people in each discipline, not just speed, but overall, that can medal at any time,” said Johnson, the reigning world champion in downhill and team combined. “Not just today, but the whole season.”

Johnson, a 30-year-old graduate of the Rowmark Ski Academy in Salt Lake City, had the sixth-fastest qualifying time in training Friday, once the fog cleared and the dancing stopped, and the fastest on Saturday. She is also scheduled to race in Thursday’s super G.

Johnson said she credits the success of the U.S. team to “a rising tide lifts all boats.”

Wright, a Utah native who developed her skills at Snowbird, agrees. She competed on the 2022 Olympic women’s team that won no medals. She said she isn’t sure anyone could foresee this kind of comeback.

“I think,” she said, “that that’s been really shocking, in the best way, for all of us.”

Team USA’s resurgence has hinged, in large part, on Shiffrin’s continued success and Vonn’s return to skiing after retiring in 2019.

Shiffrin has accumulated 108 World Cup victories across all six events and is considered one of the best Alpine skiers of all time, man or women. Right up there with her is Vonn. At age 41, she became the oldest woman to win a World Cup race with her victory at St. Moritz in December. She then won her 84th career World Cup race in January. That set her up as an Olympic gold-medal favorite until she tore the ligament in her knee a week ago. The extent of her injury in Sunday’s downhill and whether Vonn will compete in another event at these Winter Games is unknown. Vonn is scheduled to race the team combined and super G.

Both Shiffrin and Vonn have been more than willing to share their course notes and film sessions with the other skiers, said Wright and Mary Bocock, a Salt Lake City native and Olympic rookie whose specialties are giant slalom and super G.

“If I want advice from her, she will always give me advice and her honest opinion on what she thinks it will feel like,” Bocock, 22, said of Vonn. “… Like in a course report, she’ll say it’s dark and bumpy. And some coaches don’t like to say that because they think the athletes will maybe back off a little bit. But I like to hear that so I’m fully aware of how challenging the course that I’m skiing will actually be.”

Wright agreed. She said she chooses to look at her situation — skiing in a world where Vonn and Shiffrin receive most of the awards and attention — as an opportunity. She thinks others on the team do as well.

“Just being on the team with these two women, it’s never going to happen again. And that is what is so cool,” she said. “… I can’t believe I’m witnessing this much history, and I’m skiing the same courses, and I’m getting course reports from them and giving course reports, and it’s just very, very special and really cool.”

And yet, Wright has noticed the other women on the team — even Bocock — a surprise Olympic qualifier after she started this season on the “C” team — have a few tricks to teach, too. The other skiers just have to be willing to follow their lead.

“Maybe there’s no need to replicate” the success of this team, she said. “I think it’s more of an inspiration for growth and continuing on those same dreams and path, but also have respect for what is happening right now.”

Sunday’s downhill will be followed by team combined on Tuesday, the women’s super G on Thursday and the giant slalom on Feb. 15. Women’s Alpine skiing will close with the slalom, slated for Feb. 18.