Hilary Knight, captain of the US women’s ice hockey team, has criticised comments made by Donald Trump following Team USA’s double gold at the Winter Olympics, calling the president’s quip a «distasteful joke».
After the U.S. men’s team won gold, Trump phoned into the locker-room celebrations and invited the players to attend the State of the Union address.
During the call, he joked about inviting the women’s team as well, saying: «I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team… I do believe I probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].»
Video of several players laughing later went viral.
Speaking on SportsCenter, Knight said the remarks had detracted from the achievements of women athletes.
«I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats,» she said.
«We’re just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men’s and women’s at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke.»
The controversy has sparked debate in the days since the wins. Men’s forward Jack Hughes defended the relationship between the teams, saying: «People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support [the women’s team], how proud we are of them.»
Knight acknowledged the backlash had overshadowed the bond between the teams. «I think the guys were in a tough spot, so I think it’s a shame this storyline and narrative has kind of blown up and overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on,» she said.
Teammate Kelly Pannek echoed that sentiment, while goaltender Jeremy Swayman admitted the reaction in the locker room could have been handled better.
«We should’ve reacted differently,» he said. «We know that we’re so excited for the women’s team, we have so much respect for the women’s team.»
The US men’s squad attended the State of the Union, while the women’s team declined an invitation, citing prior commitments. Trump later said they would visit the Oval Office «soon,» though no plans have been confirmed.
Knight, 36, said the episode should spark broader reflection.
«I think this is a really good learning point to focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry,» she said. «Women aren’t less than. Our achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are.»
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