February 6 through 22, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina captured the attention of sports fans around the globe. Over 2,000 athletes represented 90 countries at the games, with the U.S. accounting for 232 competitors. Female athletes contributed eight of the 12 gold medals that Team USA won and 63% of the total medals earned. Throughout the games, female athletes consistently shone and displayed extraordinary athleticism. Following the conclusion of the medal ceremony, the issue of sexism and disrespect soon came to the fore.
“The win was very impactful, not only for me but for other girls who look up to the team. Being a woman goaltender, I really look up to the players on the team. Especially because I would love to be at the Olympics in the future and play with the best. By seeing that crazy game winner, it was so cool even though I felt bad for Team Canada’s goaltender [Ann-Renée Desbiens (35)],” senior Skylar Young said.
The novelty of the U.S. Men’s National Hockey Team’s first gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team quickly tarnished following a series of controversial events. The exciting game ended with the team pouring champagne and celebrating with none other than the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel, who traveled to the games using U.S. taxpayer dollars. The internet deemed the event highly inappropriate amidst the turmoil in the country at the time, including a highly-publicized search for Nancy Guthrie, “Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie’s mother. Patel, who claimed to thoroughly enjoy the sport of hockey, stated he saw nothing wrong with celebrating the victory with the team.
Prior to the men’s victory, the U.S. The Women’s National Hockey Team earned its third gold medal, marking its eighth medal in total. The promising team did not disappoint, headlined by veteran Hillary Knight (21) and Wisconsin stars Caroline Harvey (4) and Laila Edwards (10), the first African American woman to play for Team USA. The women’s Olympic run included five consecutive shutouts and allowed only two goals the entire tournament. Team USA’s dominance showed on both sides with their offense, netting 33 goals during the tournament.
The once-inspirational and promising moment turned sour following the men’s victory. Alongside the party with Patel, President Donald Trump phoned the team, extending his excitement toward the win. During the conversation, Trump invited the White House to further celebrate their victory. The team excitedly jumped at the opportunity and accepted the offer. Trump continued to joke about begrudgingly inviting the women’s team, or else he would fall under the punishment of impeachment — the locker room further erupted in laughter.
“[The men accepting the offer] was a bad look for the men’s team. There needs to be a level of respect between the teams for it to add to the overall chemistry. The Hughes brothers did hold some accountability, so I respect that. Seeing them at the State of the Union was so [upsetting]. I’m usually pretty moderate, but I feel like there was a better way for them to go about that situation,” Young said.
The moment quickly spread on social media, with users showing their disgust for the moment and deeming the men’s team an embarrassment to the sport of hockey. Fans swiftly pointed out how defenseman and forward Quinn Hughes (43) and Jack Hughes (86)’s mother, Ellen, played hockey for Team USA and served as an assistant coach for this year’s women’s team. The brothers later defended their excitement, citing that people find everything negative and that they show unwavering support toward their female counterparts.
Unlike the men’s team, the women’s team has medaled in every Olympics since the inaugural game in 1998, and earned its second gold medal in 12 years. Without an ounce of impressiveness, the men’s team failed to medal in every possible game and suffered a 46-year drought between gold medals. The women’s team politely declined the offer from Trump, citing school and work obligations. Following the backlash, entertainer Flavor Flav offered to partner with an airline to properly celebrate the accomplishment of the women’s national team. Additionally, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and Women’s collegiate hockey will resume play following the Olympic break and celebration.
