You don't get to the Olympics without a competitive streak (unless you're this one skier). Even among these hyper-competitive athletes, however, the podium tends to be a humbling experience. But one player on the Canadian women's hockey team was notably defiant about receiving silver in the much-anticipated final against arch-rival the United States.
As you can see below, Canada's Jocelyne Larocque immediately took off the silver medal she had just received and held it at her side. This came after a particularly intense game filled with penalties, which ended in a shootout and a 3-2 victory for the US over Canada, the first time Team USA has won gold in the competition in 20 years.
In the first shootout in Olympic women’s hockey history, the game remained tied through five shooters, but ultimately the US took home gold. This is also the second consecutive overtime championship game between the US and Canada. Larocque previously won gold when Canada defeated the US at 2014 Sochi Games.
Canada's Jocelyne Larocque took off her silver medal immediately after receiving it. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/wS6s9ulmoA pic.twitter.com/CcjiKOd58W
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2018
Reactions to Larocque were mixed. Some thought she it was showed poor sportspersonship, and others defended her. After all, the defeat ended Canada's streak of wins in women's hockey at the last four Winter Games.
So Jocelyne Larocque Of The Canadian female Olympic hockey team is a #PoorSport! You taking off your silver metal as soon as they put it on you is really good for the kids that look up to you. You should be showing them good sportsmanship!!! #USA #Gold
— Jon J. (Yawn) (@NintendoLocoFan) February 22, 2018
“you win a gold or a bronze medal, but you do not win a silver. you get it.” if your dumbass doesn’t get why Jocelyne Larocque (Gold medalist in Sochi) took off the silver medal.
— emzers 🍰 (@jeongguksjimin) February 22, 2018
Feeling a bit sorry for Jocelyne Larocque. OK, it wasn't the best idea to do that but in the final of a team sport like Ice hockey, you don't win a silver medal, you get handed it because you lost. She was clearly crushed at the defeat. #USAvCAN #Olympics #TeamCanada #USA
— Dougie Brimson (@dougiebrimson) February 22, 2018
When asked why she removed the medal could only respond, "Just hard. We were going for gold."
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