JD Vance Heads U.S. Delegation at Milan Opening, Plans Armenia‑Azerbaijan Visit
Updated (2 articles)
Arrival and Opening Ceremony Participation JD Vance touched down in Milan on Thursday, February 5, accompanied by his wife Usha and senior officials, and joined U.S. athletes for the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony at the Foro Italico [1]. He addressed the team, emphasizing that the Games “unite the entire country,” before moving to the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena for the women’s hockey match [1]. The delegation also included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Tilman Fertitta, and former gold‑medalists Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux, Apolo Ohno and Evan Lysacek [1].
Family Presence and Women’s Hockey Victory Vance and his family watched the U.S. women’s hockey team defeat the Czech Republic 5‑1 in the preliminary round, a result he publicly praised for its strong start [1]. He applauded the players’ performance and highlighted the significance of the win for American morale [1]. The family’s attendance underscored the personal dimension of the vice president’s symbolic diplomatic role [1].
Planned Diplomatic Tour to Armenia and Azerbaijan After the opening ceremony, Vance announced a scheduled visit to the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan to reinforce the peace accord brokered by the White House last year [1]. The trip aims to build on the diplomatic momentum and demonstrate U.S. commitment to regional stability [1]. Officials expect the vice president’s presence to signal continued American engagement in the South Caucasus [1].
Political Context and Historical Precedent The Milan trip occurs as the Trump administration shifts focus toward domestic issues ahead of the November midterm elections, limiting foreign travel for senior officials [1]. Vance’s delegation follows a tradition of vice‑presidential Olympic visits, echoing trips by Joe Biden to Vancouver 2010 and Mike Pence to Pyeongchang 2018 [1]. The presence of high‑profile athletes and officials reinforces the symbolic diplomacy the administration employs when the president is otherwise occupied [1].
Timeline
2025 – The White House brokers and signs a peace accord between Armenia and Azerbaijan, laying groundwork for future diplomatic visits [1].
2010 – Vice President Joe Biden attends the Vancouver Winter Olympics, establishing a precedent for vice‑presidential Olympic participation [1].
2018 – Vice President Mike Pence joins the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, reinforcing the tradition of vice‑presidential symbolic diplomacy at the Games [1].
Jan 17, 2026 – The White House announces Vice President JD Vance will lead the U.S. delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, second lady Usha Vance, Ambassador Tilman Fertitta, and former Olympians including the Lamoureux sisters, Evan Lysacek and Apolo Ohno [2].
Jan 2026 – The opening‑ceremony Parade of Nations is planned across four venues—Milan’s San Siro stadium and mountain sites in Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno—expected to host about 60,000 spectators, marking a historic multi‑location format [2].
Jan 2026 – Former President Donald Trump is not listed on the U.S. delegation for the opening ceremonies, indicating his limited involvement in the event [2].
Feb 5, 2026 – Vice President JD Vance lands in Milan with his family, greets U.S. athletes and declares the Games “unite the entire country” [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – Vance attends a women’s hockey match, applauds the U.S. team’s 5‑1 win over the Czech Republic and highlights the strong start to the competition [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – The delegation includes wife Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Tilman Fertitta, and gold‑medalists Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux, Apolo Ohno and Evan Lysacek [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – After the opening ceremony, Vance will travel to Armenia and Azerbaijan to build on the 2025 White House‑brokered peace accord [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles notes the administration’s pivot to domestic policy ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, limiting foreign travel this year [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – Vance’s presence continues the tradition of vice‑presidential symbolic diplomacy at the Olympics, following the examples of Biden (2010) and Pence (2018) [1].