Hilary Knight’s Call for Recognition of Women Athletes
Hilary Knight, a two-time gold medalist and standout player for the U.S. women’s hockey team, has expressed her desire to shift the attention away from a controversial remark made by President Donald Trump and instead highlight the remarkable achievements of American women athletes at the Milan Cortina Games. In a recent interview with ESPN, Knight urged fans to focus on celebrating the accomplishments of female athletes, emphasizing the significance of the women’s hockey team achieving gold medals in Olympic history alongside the men’s team.
Controversial Remarks and Their Impact
During a post-game event following the men’s team’s victory over Canada, Trump extended a White House invitation to the men’s squad and humorously noted that he would have to invite the women’s team too or risk being impeached—a comment Knight has labeled as a “distasteful joke.” Despite the lightheartedness of Trump’s remarks, she prefers to concentrate on the unity and triumph of the athletes involved.
While most members of the men’s team traveled to Washington to meet with Trump, many women’s players were returning to their respective clubs, which complicated any potential visit to the White House following their Olympic success. USA Hockey acknowledged the logistical challenges that limited the women’s team’s ability to attend, as flight arrangements had to be altered due to a severe snowstorm impacting flights into New York. Additionally, promotional activities that were planned, such as ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, were scrapped.
Unity Between Teams
Knight feels disheartened that Trump’s comments have overshadowed the camaraderie that exists between the men’s and women’s teams.
“The guys were in a tough spot,”
she explained, lamenting how the footage of their reaction took on a larger narrative that misrepresented their supportive dynamic. Women’s team forward Kelly Pannek reflected on her fulfilling experience celebrating the men’s gold medal, highlighting the mutual respect that characterizes the relationship between the two teams.
Men’s team goaltender Jeremy Swayman also spoke on the issue, suggesting that the men’s team could have handled the interaction with more sensitivity. He acknowledged the shared pride they have in their accomplishments and the support they receive from fans.
Looking Ahead
As for when the U.S. women might be able to visit the White House, Knight mentioned that the earliest opportunity would be in late spring, after the conclusion of the Professional Women’s Hockey League season. She sees this episode as a valuable lesson and hopes it will foster a more respectful dialogue surrounding women athletes. With the U.S. winning a total of 12 gold medals in Milan Cortina, eight of which were achieved by women, Knight asserted,
“Women aren’t less than,”
emphasizing the importance of recognizing female athletes’ achievements without comparison to any other narratives.
