American freeskier Hunter Hess responded to Donald Trump's criticism with a pointed gesture following his successful Olympic halfpipe qualifying run earlier today.
The 27-year-old formed an "L" shape with his left hand while pointing at it with his right, directly acknowledging the president's attack.
"Apparently, I'm a loser," Hess told reporters afterwards.
The athlete explained he had channelled the controversy into fuel for his performance.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
He said: "I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen. I'm not going to let controversy like that get in my way."
The row erupted during a press conference at the start of the Games when athletes were questioned about competing for their country during the Trump administration's intensified immigration crackdown.
Hess said: "If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it.
"Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the US."
American freeskier Hunter Hess responded to Donald Trump's criticism with a pointed gesture following his successful Olympic halfpipe qualifying run on Friday
|GETTY
His comments swiftly drew a response from the President on Truth Social, where President Trump wrote: "Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn't represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics.
"If that's the case, he shouldn't have tried out for the Team, and it's too bad he's on it."
The fallout from his remarks proved devastating on a personal level, with Hess revealing his family had received threats.
He described the period as the most difficult fortnight he has ever experienced.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
The 27-year-old formed an 'L' shape with his left hand
|GETTY
He said: "I had a week that was pretty challenging."
"Luckily, my family was there to support me and help me get through it.
"There was a lot of noise and I've never been subject to that kind of criticism.
"Skiing has saved my life time and time again and it seems to have done so again."
His comments swiftly drew a response from President Trump on Truth Social
| GETTYThe freeskiers withdrew to Laax, Switzerland, for training as the initial storm died down.
Despite the backlash, Hess maintained he had no regrets about his remarks at the 6 February press conference.
He said: "I stand with what I said. I love the United States of America. I cannot reiterate that enough. It means the absolute world to me to be able to represent Team USA here.
"There's been a lot of hate out there. All those people are super entitled to their opinion, and I respect it."
Hess was among four American athletes to progress to the 12-man final, with the US team still seeking its first gold medal in skiing and snowboarding events at Livigno Snow Park after nearly a fortnight of competition.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter