All That Glitters

The 2026 Winter Olympics ended with the United States winning gold in both Men’s and Women’s Hockey. Both teams defeated the Canadian teams in overtime. During Sunday’s game, the US Women’s team was shown several times in the crowd cheering on their fellow Olympians. After the win, Team USA brought Johnny Gaudreau’s kids onto the ice. 

While Team USA was celebrating, they had a call with President Trump. I can’t imagine that the sitting president calls every gold medal winner, especially immediately after the victory, but I’m not surprised that the hockey team got a call. The gold medal win will probably be considered the best sports moment in 2026, especially since it was the men’s first gold medal win since the “Miracle on Ice” and it occurred on the "Miracle on Ice” anniversary. These Olympics were wild, but you can’t write anything wilder. 

However, during the call President Trump also said, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team,” he said. “You do know that. I do believe I’d probably would be impeached [if the women’s team wasn’t invited].”

And everyone laughed. Did everyone think it was funny? I don’t know. I’d like to think not. I don’t think it was funny. Would pushback have been really awkward? Probably. If someone had asked, “Why wouldn’t you?” that could’ve been interesting. And maybe the president would think, well, of course, these gold medal winners would also be excited. Apparently, a chant of “2 for 2” was heard, so no, everyone didn’t think it was funny.

But why would you even say that? The women’s win doesn’t take away from the men’s, and vice versa. And aren’t we supposed to keep politics out of sports? (I feel like that is kind of impossible when we’re talking about sports when the team is representing the country). 

Ellen Hughes, a player development associate for the women’s team, is also the mother of men’s team members Quinn and Jack Hughes. Jack Hughes unfortunately, had some teeth knocked out during the gold medal match, but fortunately, it didn’t stop him from shooting the game-winning goal in overtime. Kind of have to wonder what these three thought of the comment.

Pittsburgh had a connection to the women’s win. Four players on Team USA previously were part of the Penguins Elite girls program, and the local hockey community joined current Penguins Elite players in cheering the team on. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan coached the Penguins from 2015-2025 and won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. 

How do you explain to your mother, or daughter, or any of these girls with their love of hockey, why that comment is funny or “just a joke?” That it’s “not that serious.” Or “everyone is just too sensitive.”

Then why even make the comment? What does it add? The women’s team is just as deserving as the men’s to a White House visit. 

Ironically, the men's team might not even be able to visit immediately (President Trump mentioned the possibility of the team attending Tuesday’s State of the Union) because the NHL starts back up on Wednesday! (The Professional Women’s Hockey League starts back on Thursday). Maybe the offseason would be better. 

And it’s not about being “too sensitive.” In my opinion, people say that when they just want to sidestep the acknowledgement of emotions or that they were part of something negative.

But you know what? It just wasn’t funny. The achievements of women aren’t a punchline, especially one that doesn’t make any sense. Both teams won gold on the world’s top stage. 

This is typically a topic I’d avoid because I am guilty of the same thing some of the members of Team USA might be by not speaking up: I don’t want to stir the pot or start controversy.

In recent years, women’s hockey and sports as a whole have been experiencing significant growth, especially with the creation of the PWHL. This article discusses how the gold medal win is a “defining moment” for US hockey.

It IS that serious. It is so deflating to think about. Honestly, I would have hoped to have seen both teams invited to celebrate their wins together. Our gold medal winners united and celebrated at our nation’s capital. 

It makes me think of all the times I didn’t speak up. How I can’t help but think that any achievement by me could be dismissed as “she got it because she’s a woman.” “DEI.” “Quota.” “But did she earn it?” 

And my achievements aren’t a punchline or meant to be lessened because it was done by a woman.

All the times I heard “good for a girl,” and, even when I thought there wasn’t any malice behind it, I should have said that it IS still insulting, regardless of intent. For all of this “if you wanna be equal…” that is the epitome is dismissing equality because it sets the standard lower.  

I never wanted to be good at something “for a girl.” I wanted to just be good and capable. And I believe most women would agree. 

Also, I might as well go all out here, but I’m not a girl. I’m a grown-ass woman. I do slightly blame the English language here, because it’s so often “guys and girls.” But people don’t say boy when we know it’s a grown-ass man. 

I was a firefighter. So many times I heard (whether or not the speaker knew anything about firefighting) that I had no business on a fire truck simply because of my gender. It’s stupid. Hearing it never stopped me, thankfully, but I’d be lying if I said it did not affect me. Times when I wondered if they were right. 

Even though I’m not an active firefighter, I’m very glad to see more women’s voices being heard, even in the seemingly most basic of things, such as turnout gear that is meant to fit a woman. 

I think about why I haven’t said things in the past. Sometimes it’s because I don’t want to start an argument. Sometimes it’s because I don’t want people to judge me or laugh at my beliefs. It’s funny to sit here and think about it because I just want people to treat each other better. And I’m worried about someone looking down on me for that? Why am I worried about that person?

I’ve never had a lot of friends or been the go-to person. I’ve just accepted that. So why am I so concerned about what others think when I just want people to do good? More importantly, why am I not being my authentic self? 

All of us can do better. We can treat each other better. Listen more. And sometimes, speak up more. Do all these things more in spite of awkwardness. Leave the world better than we found it. 

It matters because all of these things add up and make us who we are. And how we treat others affects how those people treat people. And on and on it goes. We can be the cause of inspiration, and we can find that we are the cause of discouragement. That’s why it matters.