US Vice President JD Vance sought to put politics aside when he visited US athletes preparing for the Winter Olympics on Thursday.
“The whole country, Democrat, Republican, independent, we’re all rooting for you, and we’re cheering for you,” he told members of Team USA at a welcome centre at a hotel at Milan’s Malpensa airport.
“This is one of the few things that unites the entire country,” the Republican said, adding: “I hope you win as many medals as possible.”
Vance arrived in Milan on Thursday morning with his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, and their children Ewan, aged eight, Vivek, aged five, and Mirabel, aged four.
Also present at the airport hotel was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who like Vance will attend Friday’s opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro stadium.
Vance revealed during the visit to the hotel — where Team USA athletes were also being fitted out for Ralph Lauren uniforms for Friday’s ceremony — that he had begun skiing a few years ago.
He said his wife was not a big sports fan but “every two years, she makes us obsessively watch the Olympics”.
Vance is expected to join a welcome dinner for heads of state and government with the president of the International Olympic Committee in Milan on Thursday evening.
Around 30 politicians and dignitaries are due at the dinner, according to a spokesman for Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who is also attending.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is also among the guests, his office said.
Vance will meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Milan on Friday at 1:00 pm local time (1200 GMT), according to an Italian government agenda.
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