A group of national governing bodies under the Team USA banner claim they hope to minimize distractions during the Milano Cortina 2026 in Italy.
Organizers began retrofitting a Milan hotel last year to serve as a shared venue for USA Hockey, U.S. Speedskating, and U.S. Figure Skating. The boutique Aethos Milan will host meet-and-greets, sponsor events, and medal celebrations. Planning for the venue began months ago and was initially announced under the name ‘Ice House.’
“We expect this venue to be a main hub for athletes, families, media, and our supporters,” said U.S. Figure Skating CEO Matt Farrell at the time.
“There is nothing like the magic of the Olympic Games, and we look forward to the Ice House serving as a welcoming home to celebrate our athletes,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey.
U.S. Speedskating Executive Director Ted Morris added, “Ice House will be the place to be in Milan for the TEAM USA community.”
All three governing bodies have now agreed to rename the venue from Ice House to Winter House, saying the move is meant to reduce distractions for athletes. The groups told USA Today that the name change is intended to keep the focus on competition during the Games.
“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,” the group said in a joint statement. “This name captures that vision and connects to the season and the event.”
U.S. Figure Skating said the venue will also serve as a media hub for radio, digital, blogging, and podcasting personalities.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is set to accompany the U.S. Olympic delegation to Italy, according to The New York Times—a move that drew pushback from Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, who said ICE agents would not be deployed on Italian streets. The issue sparked protests in Milan last week, where mostly older demonstrators blew whistles and held signs reading “Ice Out!”
Other signs held by protesters included, “The only ICE I want is in my peach tea! Keep out!” and, “No ananas sulla pizzano[,] no cappucio col pranzo[,] no ICE,” which, when translated, means, “No pineapple on pizza, no cappuccio with lunch, no ICE.”
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