The Olympic champions declined the invitation from the U.S. president to visit the White House, The Guardian reported, citing a team representative.
Representatives of the national team reported that the athletes have a busy schedule and cannot visit Washington.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our U.S. women’s hockey team, the gold medalists, and deeply appreciate the recognition of their outstanding achievement. Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. It was a great honor for them to be included in the program, and they are thankful for the recognition,” the newspaper quotes the statement from the women’s team.
However, American media suggest an alternative version of events. According to some reports, the president stated that, in addition to the men’s hockey team that won the Olympic Games, he would also have to invite the female athletes. The athletes considered such words a sign of disrespect and, in protest, refused to visit Trump.
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