That did little to take away from just how unimpressed social media users were with the behavior and Patel himself has since responded to the criticism.
The FBI director wrote in a post to X on February 23: « For the very concerned media – yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys- Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth. »
It follows an earlier post which reads: « Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world. These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created. congrats boys @ usahockey. »
Amber Glenn, who’s competing for Team USA in the Winter Olympics, has lifted the lid on the ‘scary amount of threats’ she’s received after expressing her beliefs prior to the Milano Cortina 2026 games.
The figure skater, who is pansexual, was asked at a press conference prior to the games how she felt about representing the LGBTQIA+ community in the Olympics.
Speaking to press on Wednesday, Glenn addressed the current state of affairs in the US, saying: « It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration. It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights.
« And now, especially, it’s not just affecting the queer community, but many other communities. I think that we are able to support each other in a way that we didn’t have to before, and because of that, it’s made us a lot stronger. »The athlete went on to say she hopes to use her platform at the Winter Olympics to ‘encourage people to stay strong in these hard times’.
« I know that a lot of people say, ‘You’re just an athlete, like, stick to your job, shut up about politics,’ but politics affect us all, » she added to reporters, before stating it’s a topic she’s not going to stay silent on.
Glenn concluded: « It is something that I will not just be quiet about because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So, of course, there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead of us. »
The 26-year-old ended up becoming a gold medallist on Sunday (February 8) after her team won the women’s free skating, but her victory was soured by ‘threats’ she’d received after speaking out about her beliefs. »When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans, I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice when asked about how I feel, » she penned in an Instagram Story on Saturday (February 7).
« I did anticipate this, but I am disappointed by it.
