MILAN, ITALY — The 2026 Winter Olympics are in full swing, but for former ESPN personality Sarah Spain, a recent women’s hockey match became the backdrop for a jarring and “visceral” political encounter.

On a recent episode of her podcast, “Good Game with Sarah Spain,” the sports analyst opened up about an unexpected run-in with U.S. Vice President JD Vance during the USA vs. Czechia game in Milan. Her description of the event was anything but diplomatic.

The Encounter Spain recounted sitting in the stands, ready to cheer on Team USA, when the atmosphere shifted. Vice President Vance arrived with a heavy security detail, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Vance was reportedly carrying a child at the time.

While the presence of high-ranking officials is common at the Games, Spain described an immediate, physical repulsion to the Vice President’s proximity.

“A Visceral Reaction” In a segment that has quickly gained traction online, Spain detailed feeling physically “ill” the moment she saw Vance. She didn’t hold back in her description, specifically targeting Vance’s appearance and the aura she felt he projected.

“I looked at his eyeliner face,” Spain said, describing a feeling akin to looking at “a demon” or “the Devil.”

She clarified that while she does not believe in such entities in a literal sense, the reaction was “instinctual.” She described a deep-seated sense of “danger” that triggered a fight-or-flight response, despite the festive Olympic environment.

Politics at the Games The comments highlight the intense polarization that continues to follow the current administration, even across the Atlantic. While Vance and Rubio were there to represent the United States, for critics like Spain, their presence evokes a powerful emotional response that transcends politics and enters the realm of physical discomfort.