During the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan, U.S. Vice President James David Vens faced booing from portions of the audience; however, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) highlighted strong diplomatic ties in the lead-up to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Vens during two days of discussions in Milan, noting a positive rapport despite the negative reception at the ceremony.

Coventry's formal dinner with Vens marked her first direct interactions with the U.S. government since taking over the IOC leadership in March. During a press conference following the opening ceremony, IOC representative Mark Adams expressed enthusiasm regarding the involvement of the U.S. administration in the upcoming games and acknowledged ongoing preparations. The Trump administration's role is particularly critical in planning, given their responsibilities in federal security operations and visa processing related to the Olympics.

The IOC's public support for Vens is indicative of their interest in maintaining a cooperative relationship with U.S. officials, especially as Los Angeles gears up to host the games in five years. The juxtaposition of Vens's being booed and the IOC's commendation suggests a complex diplomatic landscape where global sporting events are intertwined with national politics and audience perceptions.