Canadian hockey player immediately removes silver medal after loss
Disappointed Canadian women’s hockey players stand on the podium at the medal ceremony, Thursday. / Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
A Canadian women’s hockey player, disappointed after losing to the U.S. in the final at the PyeongChang Olympics, abruptly took off her silver medal during the medal ceremony.
Jocelyne Larocque removed her medal from around her neck on the podium Thursday and held it as U.S. team members were awaiting for their gold next to the Canadians.
“It's just hard,” Larocque told the Canadian Press after the game. “We’re going for gold and I’m proud of this whole team, but we were chasing that gold medal, and … yeah.”
Her behavior has drawn a torrent of criticism from fans on social media.
“(I’m) very disappointed in Jocelyne Larocque’s display of incredibly un-Canadian sportsmanship and being a poor loser,” one person said on Twitter.
Another said, “I understand your disappointment, but the world was watching and you were representing all of Canada.
“You embarrassed your sport and insulted the fans that supported your journey. We all deserve better.”