U.S. women’s ice hockey captain Hilary Knight has condemned former President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks that diverted attention from female athletes’ historic accomplishments at the Winter Olympics. The criticism emerged following Team USA’s unprecedented dual gold medal victory in both men’s and women’s ice hockey during the Milan-Cortina Games.
During a congratulatory call to the men’s team, Trump made what Knight characterized as a ‘distasteful joke,’ suggesting he would need to invite the women’s team to his State of the Union address ‘or I probably would be impeached.’ The women’s team subsequently declined the invitation to Tuesday’s speech in Washington DC.
The five-time Olympic medalist expressed disappointment that the political controversy has eclipsed recognition of women’s athletic achievements. ‘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,’ Knight told ESPN.
Knight demonstrated remarkable grace toward the men’s team, several of whom appeared to laugh at Trump’s comment during their White House call. ‘I think there’s a genuine level of support there and respect,’ she noted, suggesting the men were ‘in a tough spot’ and characterizing their reaction as ‘a quick lapse.’
The legendary forward, who concludes her Olympic career with a record 15 goals for any U.S. hockey player regardless of gender, hopes the incident will serve as ‘a really good learning point, to really focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry.’
‘Women aren’t less than, and their achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are,’ Knight asserted, emphasizing the need for equitable recognition of female athletic excellence.